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REPORT 


OF 


THE COMMISSIONERS 

APPOINTED BY THE 

SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR 


TO EXAMINE TIIE 




RED CLOUD AND WHETSTONE INDIAN AGENCIES. 


TIIE COMMISSION CONSISTED OF EIGHT REVEREND BISHOP AV H. 
HARE, MISSIONARY BISHOP OF NIOBRARA; REVEREND 
SAMUEL I). HINMAN, MISSIONARY TO THE SANTEE 
SIOUX; DOCTOR J. D. BEYIER, ONE OF THE FIVE 
INDIAN INSPECTORS; AND FRANCIS H. 

SMITH, MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF 
INDIAN COMMISSIONERS. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT PR1NTIN OFFICE. 

1874 . 























- f- 


R E P O R T 


OF 


THE COMMISSIONERS 

APPOINTED BY THE 

SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR 



TO EXAMINE TIIE 


RED CLOUD AND WHETSTONE INDIAN AGENCIES. 


THE COMMISSION CONSISTED OF EIGHT REVEREND BISHOP W. H. 
HARE, MISSIONARY BISHOP OF NIOBRARA; REVEREND 
SAMUEL D. HINMAN, MISSIONARY TO THE SANTEE 
SIOUX; DOCTOR J. D. BEVIER, ONE OF THE FIVE 
INDIAN INSPECTORS; AND FRANCIS H. 

SMITH, MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF 
INDIAN COMMISSIONERS. 



U. S. A, )j 


Of vyash\^ 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 

18 7 4 . 














EE?*? 

.JJIU3 










Department of the Interior, 

Office of Indian Affairs, 

Washington , D. C ., April 23, 1874. 

This report, in addition to the results of its investigation of certain 
charges against the agents at Bed Cloud and Whetstone agencies, made 
by one Samuel Walker, contains a full account of the affairs of these 
agencies and of the general condition of the Sioux Indians, including 
the Upper Brule and Ogallalla Sioux, who have settled at these places, 
as well as the condition of the wild tribes, consisting of Sans Arcs, 
Minneconjous, Uncpapas, &c., who still refuse to accept treaty relations 
with the Government. 

It is replete with information in regard to the whole subject, and is 
accompanied with important suggestions and recommendations in behalf 
of the Indian service, and in support of what is generally called the 
peace policy of the Government. 

E. P. SMITH, 

Commissioner. 



REPORT. 


To the Honorable 0. Delano, 

Secretary of the Interior : 

Sir: The commission appointed to investigate into the administra¬ 
tion of the Eed Cloud and Whetstone (Spotted Tail) agencies, and to 
inquire into the temper and condition of the Indians connected with 
these agencies, and to make such recommendations as upon examination 
should seem to them judicious as to the line of policy to be pursued to¬ 
ward them, beg leave respectfully to report that they met at the Eed 
Cloud agency, Dakota, March 16,1874, all the commissioners being pres- 
' ent, as follows: F. H. Smith, one of the board of Indian commissioners ; 
.1. D. Bevier, United States Indian inspector; Eev. S. D. Hinman, for 
fifteen years missionary among the Santee Sioux; and W. H. Hare, mis¬ 
sionary bishop to the Indians. 

On motion, it was resolved that the commissioners orgauize and con¬ 
duct their proceedings as a single body. Thereupon, William H. Hare 
was chosen chairman of the commission, and F. H. Smith secretary. 

CONDITION OF TIIE INDIANS. 

Before reporting the results of their mission, it may be well to state that 
the Indians properly connected with the Eed Cloud and the Whetstone 
agencies are the Ogallallas and the Upper Brides, respectively. They 
are among the most distant of the Sioux from civilizing influences, and 
the last who have accepted a position of dependence upon the Govern¬ 
ment, and their agencies are the resort during the winter of multitudes 
of northern Indians, (Minneconjous, Sans Arcs, Uncpapas, &c.,) vari¬ 
ously estimated at from 10,000 to 15,000 in number, who range over 
districts still further removed from civilization and the power of the 
Government, and who, when driven in from their roving life upon the 
plains farther north by the rigors of the winter, come to the Eed Cloud 
and Spotted Tail agencies, attracted by the rations which the Government 
dispenses there. 

The wilder spirits among the Ogallallas and Upper Brules find in these 
sojourners congenial company. Combined, they constitute a turbulent 
party, which for the time rules the agencies with a high hand. The 
better-disposed Indians have not yet reached strength enough, either in 
number or character, to resist these impetuous hordes from the north 
and their abettors. Those who sincerely desire to learn a better way 
dare not raise their heads ; and those who favor progress in quiet times, 
because it seems the winning side, are politic enough to float with the 
tide when its tumultuous waters run the other way. From the time of 
the arrival of these outside bands, white men living on the reservation 
are careful not to expose themselves after nightfall, and those who for 
months have been accustomed to travel through the country alone 
without fear of molestation, seek an escort of friendly Indians. The 
agents are subjected to intimidation and to the most violent and un¬ 
reasonable demands, while now and then small war-parties dash off 



6 


into the adjacent country in the hope of happening upon a stray soldier 
or finding an opportunity of running off stock. 

This turbulence usually continues and increases until it reaches its 
climax about the time when the severity of the winter is relaxing and 
the visitors from the north are beginning to make their preparations 
for a return to their wild northern retreats. 

Your commissioners found that the past winter had been no exception 
to the general rule. Comparative quiet prevailed at both agencies dur¬ 
ing all last summer and early fall, but upon the incoming of the north¬ 
ern Indians trouble at once began. The most extravagant demands 
were made for rations, and enforced by intimidation. The efforts of the 
agents to make a census of the people (which was essential to the proper 
regulation of the issue of rations) were thwarted and defied. When 
registration was notwithstanding attempted, the agents were forcibly 
restrained, and their lives were threatened, and they were informed 
that should they dare pass beyond certain limits, which were marked 
out for them, they would do it at their peril. 

Early in February, a war-party, one or two hundred strong, was or¬ 
ganized—perhaps there were several of them—and started on a maraud¬ 
ing expedition for the settlements farther south. 

Your commissioners have no exact information as to the amount of stock 
which was run oft by these parties; but within ten days, a man named 
King, a hunter, was shot on Laramie Fork: Edgar Grpy, a teamster, 
was killed on the Running Water; Lieutenant Robinson and Corporal 
Coleman, while absent from their train, were pursued and killed near 
Laramie Peak ; and Frank D. Appleton, clerk, was shot dead (as is sup¬ 
posed, by one of the above-mentioned war-party on its return) within 
the stockade at the Red Cloud agency. 

There is sufficient evidence to satisfy the commission that the bet 
ter spirits discountenanced these lawless proceedings; that the murder 
of Appleton moved one of the chiefs to tears; that the agents were able 
to form a number of the Indians into a guard to protect themselves and 
their agencies; that one Indian, and he a northern man, demanded the 
return of stolen horses from a war-party of which his nephew was a 
leader, and, when it was refused, shot him and rescued the stolen prop¬ 
erty by force; and that another defended his agent at the peril of his 
own life. But, notwithstanding, turbulence seems to have reigned for 
some time almost supreme. 

IS WAR THE NEEDED REMEDY ? 

Lamentable as has been the condition of aftairs, your commissioners 
have not discovered any proof that the Indians have been preparing for, 
or intending to provoke, a war with the United States. While it cannot 
be affirmed that these Indians are generally friendly in their feelings to 
the whites, their loyalty to the Great Father is evidently both general 
and deep-seated. It is, moreover, plain that there have been no common 
councils against the whites, and that there has been no concentrated action. 
Confirmatory of this opinion is the fact that when the troops appeared 
at the agencies the great body of Indians who belonged there re¬ 
mained, leaving their visitors to go their way. The exhibitions of 
violence in which the turbulence has culminated have been, the com¬ 
missioners are convinced, simply those of Indian rowdyism. 

Whether the northern Indians intend war, the commissioners cannot 
say. They have not been able to find any indications of it, other than 
those which have caused uneasiness in former years. If these northern 


7 


tribes can be brought under the influence of the present feeding policy 
of the Government, a few years will witness the entire removal of all 
fears on this score. 

The advance which has been made toward the solution of the Sioux 
problem, in the case of all those tribes which have been brought under 
the operation of the present policy, is manifest. It was but six years 
ago that the Indians now gathered about the Red Cloud and Spotted 
Tail agencies were constantly upon the war-path, and were among the 
most dangerous foes of the Government. Under the present policy 
their wild, fierce spirit has been taming down and their proud sense of 
power and the defiant temper which resulted from it have been decreas¬ 
ing, while their dependence upon the Government has been increasing 
every month, so that a general war movement on their part, except un¬ 
der extraordinary provocation, is almost out of the question. Your 
commissioners have failed to discover any symptoms calculated to 
weaken their faith in the practical wisdom of the present policy of the 
Government and of its desire to avoid a war with the Sioux if it be pos¬ 
sible. The history of our past Indian wars is humiliating. It is folly 
to drive to desperation, except under the pressure of absolute duty, a 
wild and ferocious people who could bring into the field from six thou¬ 
sand to seven thousand warriors, with whom war is a passion, who 
range over a wild country of vast extent which is a terra incognita 
to the white man, but every inch of which is familiar to the Indian, and 
whose warfare would be characterized by all the peculiar difficulties 
with which guerilla war confronts the army of a civilized people. 

Only two methods of carrying on such a war can be conceived of, it 
is believed, which would give any assurance of success. 

The first is to descend to the level of the Indian and fight him with 
wild frontiers-tneu, after his own savage mode, a course which a civilized 
people cannot adopt without self-degradation. 

The other method is to inaugurate war on a scale gigantic enough 
to surround or occupy the whole Indian country, a plan which would 
call for an expenditure of money and the raising of an army which our 
people are not likely to authorize and sustain unless under a seuse of 
duty or of wounded national honor, which there is no likelihood the 
present or future attitude of the Indians will create. 

War, then, the commissioners consider out of the question, but not 
support of the agents by the employment of military force. 

The Government owes it to its agents to save them from the necessity 
of being the toys or tools of lawless savages, and thus becoming a 
hinderance rather than a help to their real progress, and to put at their 
command sufficient power to enable them to discharge their duties and 
to make their reasonable demands respected. 

It owes it to the better-disposed Indians to secure them another re¬ 
source than falling in with the proceedings of the wild and riotous, or 
else becoming their victims, and to see that brute violence shall no 
longer keep at a distance tliose missionary and educational instrumen¬ 
talities which the better Indians desire and their friends are ready to 
provide. 

The commissioners know of no way in which this protection can be 
secured but by the posting of a military force in the neighborhood of all 
agencies among the wilder Sioux. They believe that the mere pres¬ 
ence of troops would ordinarily accomplish all that is desired ; that the 
use of a military force for proper purposes would command the ap¬ 
proval of the better-disposed Indians; that familiarity with the pres¬ 
ence of troops would tend greatly toward taming the wilder Sioux by 


8 


accustoming them to the sight aud tolerance of white men; that the 
support of troops would enable the agents to be a power “for the pun¬ 
ishment of evil-doers and for the praise of those that do well,’ 7 and to 
drive away from among the Indians the white desperadoes and fugi¬ 
tives from justice who have hitherto frequently been able, not only to 
make the agencies their refuge, but to exert a very sensible influence 
there. The corrupting influence of private soldiers, which will at once 
occur to many minds as an objection to this plan, is not to be feared 
among the wilder Sioux as much as elsewhere, as the women are gen¬ 
erally virtuous, and these bad influences might be reduced to a mini¬ 
mum by the placing of the post at a short distance from the agencies 
and by the exclusion of Indians from their precincts. 

In confirmation of some of the points just made it may be well to 
state the interesting fact that your commissioners found on arriving at 
the agencies that, although there had been the greatest opposition on the 
part of the Indians to the coming of the troops, they did not attack them, 
and became reconciled to their presence when the commission assured 
them that the soldiers were not sent to make war bdt to protect good 
men and their agency, and that during their whole stay of some weeks, 
and their many conferences with the Indians, but few urgent words of 
dislike to the presence of the troops were uttered, however much the 
Indian young men may have bantered the soldiers with alarming stories 
and threats. 

Should the continued occupation of these agencies by troops be deter¬ 
mined on, your commissioners recommeud that the relations of the 
agents aud the military commanders should receive careful considera¬ 
tion and be definitely determined. 

NORTHERN TRIBES. 

From the above narrative it is apparent, your commissioners think, 
that the agents at lied Cloud and Spotted Tail agencies have as many 
Indians in those now properly connected with their agencies (say about 
5,000 or 6,000 each) as they can possibly manage; that the northern 
tribes who make it a habit to come into their agencies in the fall are a 
disturbing element, strengthening the evil-disposed and enfeebling the 
good; and that they are a part of the Sioux Nation numerous enough 
and important enough to call for a distinct effort of the Government for 
their conciliation and eventual civilization. To this end, your commis¬ 
sioners respectfully recommend that a delegation be induced to visit 
Washington the coming summer, a mode of treatment of tested efficacy ; 
that they be informed that no Indians will hereafter be fed at either Red 
Cloud or Spotted Tail agency without being first enrolled; that they be 
discouraged from going to those agencies; and that they be offered an 
agency of their own. The question at once arises, where should the 
agency be located ? The hive of the hostile Sioux, their retreat in times 
of danger, their place of couucil when marauding parties are being 
organized, is the Black Hills. All agencies, all military forts yet estab¬ 
lished by the Government, being upon the fringe only of an immense 
country, have left the vast power which circles about this spot, the 
pride of the nation, untouched. 

An agency and a garrison planted somewhere near these hills would 
put the whole Sioux country and people under the control of the Gov¬ 
ernment as they have never been before, and open up this at present 
impenetrable heart of the nation to the rays of civilizing influences: 
and if the bottom lands of the forks of the Cheyenne and of the streams 


9 


which flow into them from the Black Hills should prove upon examina¬ 
tion good for agricultural purposes, as many represent that they are, the 
commission believe that the planting of an agency in the Black Hills 
country worth all the expense which its establishment would involve. 

COUNCILS WITH THE INDIANS. 

The commission held a number of councils with the Indians at both 
the agencies. The northern Indians had gone off upon hearing of the 
approach of the troops, and the efforts of the commission to secure a 
hearing from them were not successful. The attendance of chiefs and 
head-men of the Ogallallas, however, at their agency, and of the Upper 
Brules at theirs, was very general. The following points were urged 
upon them at both agencies in an address delivered on behalf of the 
commission by their chairman, a copy of which accompanies this report: 

1st. That they should submit immediately to the registration of their 
people. 

2d. That they should deliver up Indians who murdered white men or 
committed depredations upon their property ; or that if, for any reason, 
they were unable to do this, they should countenance their agent in 
calling in the military force to arrest the offender. 

3d. That, as the occasion of most murders, and depredations was 
the absence of Indians from their reservation, in the exercise of the 
privilege accorded them by the treaty of 1868 to hunt buffalo on the 
Republican Fork, and to roam in the country south of their reservation 
as far as the North Platte, they had better consent, for a proper con¬ 
sideration, to surrender this right. 

4th. That the Government proposed to send a party of surveyors to 
run the northern line of Nebraska, and that the Indians should put no 
obstacle in their way. 

5th. That the Indians should consent to the removal of their agencies 
to such localities as might be fixed upon by the commission, after a 
careful exploration by the commissioners accompanied by a large repre¬ 
sentation of Indians.* 

The people were evidently much disappointed that the commission 
had no attractive promises to make nor presents to distribute, and the 
state of mind was exhibited on all sides which is to be expected when the 
Government, having pursued with some success the commendable policy 
of drawing savages in from their native defiance by conciliation and 
presents, arrives at the point when it must teach them their duties. 
Discussions with them revealed most unreasonable expectations, pitia¬ 
ble want of appreciation of the benefits already conferred, and gross 
misconception of the requirements of the treaty of 1868. Indeed, it 
became more and more apparent every day that neither the people, nor 
their chiefs who signed the treaty, now understand, nor indeed ever 
understood, its terms. This opinion was confirmed by conversation 
held afterward with persons familiar with the Indians. He who 
would have looked for anything else has not learned human nature 
well, nor his first lesson in dealing with the wild children of the plain. 
It was delightful, however, to notice the universal reverence and love 
which exists for their Great Father, as they term the President, and 
the self-control with which, with some exceptions, their speeches and 
their conduct were distinguished. The only violations of this rnodera- 

* Upon farther consideration the last point was given up so far as Red Cloud agency 
Avas concerned, for reasons that appear further on. 



10 


tion were on two occasions, when, to cut off remarks on either side, the 
Indians were on a sudden dispersed by a signal given by their chiefs, 
and the commission were left, the first time a little to their consterna¬ 
tion, without an audience. * 

The registration, which was the first point urged by the commission, 
was assented to at the Red Cloud agency without much opposition, and 
was made (for a first essay, somewhat satisfactorily) by the agent within 
a week after our first council. At the Whetstone agency it met with 
more opposition. 

The second point urged by the commission would have confronted 
them with a much less difficult task had the Indians not been able to 
array before them a counterbalancing record of depredations upon the 
persons and property of Indians committed by white men. 

The reply to this second point was the same in substance at both 
agencies. The Indians said that a chief, Whistler, well known as a 
friendly Indian, and two of his men, had been murdered in the summer 
of 1872, and that within a few weeks a large number of horses had been 
run off by white men from the neighborhood of the Red Cloud agency. 

They represented that these murderers and depredators had never yet 
been punished, and that if the Government of the United States could not 
succeed in capturing white men who murdered Indians, it was hardly 
fair that it should expect Indians to capture Indians who murdered white 
men. They urged further that the Indians had no instrumentalities for 
arresting criminals, and that the attempt to do it would only involve 
them in criminations and recriminations and broils among themselves. 
They said, however, that if their agents called upon the military to aid 
them in arresting evil-doers, the Indians would not object. This reply 
is not unreasonable. 

The commissioners are glad to be able to report as the result of their 
councils with the Indians of Red Cloud agency on this point, that they 
resolved to make up a list of all depredations which they know to have 
been made by their people upon the whites, which list they propose to 
forward to their Great Father, with the request that damages be paid 
out of the money belonging to them. The commission advise that their 
agents be instructed to follow up all cases of murder and other depreda¬ 
tions by the Indians, but that in the use of the troops they should be gov¬ 
erned by the greatest possible caution, and that they shall carry out the 
provisions of Article I of the treaty of 1808. This reads as follows : 

Treaty with Sioux Indians, 29th April , 1868. 

Article I. 

From this clay forward all war between tlie parties to this agreement shall forever 
cease. The Government of the United States desires peace, and its honor is hereby 
pledged to keep it. The Iudiaus desire peace, and they now pledge their honor to 
maintain it. 

If bad men among the whites, or among other people subject to the authority of the 
Uuited States, shall commit any wrong upon the person or property of the Indians, the 
United States will, upon proof made to the agent and forwarded to the Commissioner 
of Indian Affairs, at Washington City, proceed at once to cause the offender to be 
arrested and punished according to the laws of the Uuited States, and also re-imburse 
the injured person for the loss sustained. 

If bad men among the Indians shall commit a wrong or depredation upon the person 
or property of any one, white, black, or Indian, subject to the authority of the Uuited 
States, and at peace therewith, the Indians herein named solemnly agree that they 
will, upon proof made to their agent and notice by him, deliver up the wrong-doer to 
the United States, to be tried and punished according to its laws; and in case they 
willfully refuse so to do, the person injured shall be re-imbursed for his loss from the 
annuities or other moneys due or to become due to them under this or other treaties 
made with the United States. 


11 


And the President, on advising with the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, shall pre¬ 
scribe such rules and regulations for ascertaining damages under the provisions of this 
article as, in his judgment, may be proper. 

But no one sustaining loss while violating the provisions of this treaty or the laws 
of the United States shall be re-imbursed therefor. 

It became apparent in our councils and informal conversations with the 
Indians that they considered that their liberty to kill is restrained only 
so far as white men are concerned, and that they have no adequate con¬ 
ception of the fact that marauding expeditions against Pawnees, Poncas, 
&c., are displeasing to the Great Father. They affected great surprise 
when told that the massacre of the Pawnees last summer horrified their 
friends at the East. 

Your commissioners suggest that their agents be specially instructed 
to inform them that these and all other Indians are the Great Father’s 
children. 

The third proposal of the commission touches a right which the 
Indians hold very dear, and it was hardly expected that it would meet 
with a favorable reply, and it did not. 

But the privilege of hunting upon the Republican Fork and of roam¬ 
ing in the unceded land north of the Platte, is fraught with evil. It 
keeps active in the Iudians their wild and roving habits. It removes 
them for a considerable time from the good influences with which the Gov¬ 
ernment is seeking to surround them on their reservation. It is the 
only just pretext which they have for crossing their boundary-line into 
the territory of the whites, and is every year the occasion of murders 
perpetrated either by Indians upon white men or by white men upon 
Indians. The shocking massacre of Pawnees about nine months ago 
would never have occurred but from the fact that the perpetrators were 
off lor a hunt on the Republican Fork. The commission believe the 
right in question to be the source of a large proportion of the alarms 
from Indians, which periodically run over parts of our western country r 
and of a great part of the irritation which exists to so lamentable an 
extent between the Indians and the border whites. The United States, 
as the guardian of these Indians, should deny them hereafter this harm¬ 
ful right, and could afford to make its surrender less unpalatable by 
making them a handsome present of blankets, Indian cloth, ticking, 
and blue drilling. 

The fourth proposition of the commission, viz: that the Indians 
should assent to the running of the Nebraska line, was not very accept¬ 
able to them, but no warm opposition was offered to it. The com¬ 
mission are of the opinion that, if the Indians are informed through 
their agents, before the appearance of the surveyors, of their object, the 
survey may be undertaken this summer without increasing the danger 
of hostilities. The party should be accompanied either by au escort of 
soldiers, or, better, by a paid escort of friendly Indians. A survey will 
probably make it apparent, however, that the Nebraska line runs far 
north of what the Indians suppose to be the southern boundary of their 
reservation. It is unfortunate that the treaty of 1868 determined the 
southern limits of the reservation by an imaginary line. An Indian 
cannot understand what this is. Extravagant claims, or, at the best, 
misconception, are the natural and certain result. 

The fifth point brought up by the commission, the location of agen¬ 
cies, is perhaps the most important and far-reaching in its influences of 
them all. It seems to your commission that the time has come when a 
general plan for the location of agencies should be adopted, which shall 
embrace the whole Sioux Nation, and that the location of agencies shall 


12 


no longer be governed as it has been, of necessity, often in the past by 
merely special, temporary, or local considerations. The commission 
were in hopes that the Indians at both agencies could be induced to 
consent to the removal of their agencies to any points which your com¬ 
missioners should desire, and that thus they would be at liberty not 
only to map out, but to put into effect a general plan for the location of 
the agencies for all the Indians who are not now upon the Missouri, or 
cannot be advantageously located there. There seemed sufficient rea¬ 
son for removal in the fact that the Whetstone agency is situated iu a 
region of country where agriculture, to which it is the policy of the 
Government to turn the attention of the people, is simply out of the 
question ; and that the Red Cloud agency is located very near to, and 
perhaps even south of, the southern line of the Sioux reservation. The 
commission, however, found the Indians very much opposed to removal, 
and this opposition in the case of Red Cloud’s people seemed so reason¬ 
able that the commission did not feel that they were justified in insist¬ 
ing on their removal. It is only eight months since these people were 
removed, much against their will, from a locality still farther south. 
The present site of their agency was chosen by an authorized commis¬ 
sion who judged, upon the best information then to be had, that the 
selected location was north of the southern line of the reservation. 
This site is a beautiful one, and offers more advantages in the way of 
timber, water, and arable land than any which can be found within fifty 
miles. And, finally, considerable expense has been incurred iu erecting 
a large stockade and a number of agency-buildings. 

The case is far different, however, with the Whetstone agency, forty 
miles northeast of Red Cloud agency, on the White Earth River. It is 
situated in the midst of an utterly barren and repulsive regiou. It was 
placed there without authority. Wood is scarce. The water is inferior. 
The land is either covered by a very shallow soil, or utterly denuded of 
it. The bottom-lands of the White Earth River, and the bottom-lands 
of all the creeks in the neighborhood of the agency, are so contracted 
that their practical value amounts to nothing. And finally, the agency 
is at a great distance (from 225 to 280 miles) from any point of supply, 
existing or possible, on any route of river or railroad transportation. 
The site is thus as devoid of any practical advantages as it is of any 
feature that can attract the eye. 

If it were the policy of the Government to let Indian life drift along 
as it may, until it accomplishes by its own blindness and folly its final 
extinction; or, if the policy were based upon the principle that all 
efforts to turn the energies of the Indians toward self-support are futile, 
and that, therefore, one place is as good for them as another, the agency 
might well remain where it is. But if it is desired to place these 
Indians where agricultural effort may reasonably be required of them, 
where the large number of whites and half-breeds, who are incorporated 
with them, (numbering perhaps five hundred souls,) will have an oppor¬ 
tunity to improve their condition, and where respectable men with re¬ 
spectable families will be willing to come as employes and teachers, 
change is essential. It should be made with expedition, too. A large 
population of half-breeds is growing up among them in utter ignorance 
of the simplest elements of education, intellectual, moral, and religious. 
Educational and missionary efforts, which they earnestly desire and 
for which they have subscribed some hundreds of dollars, have been 
delayed year after year, and are practically impossible as long as the 
present unsatisfactory condition of affairs continues. Moreover, the 
Government can hardly erect suitable winter-quarters for the military 


13 


force stationed for the protection of this agency until a permanent loca¬ 
tion has been selected. The commission found little difficulty in per¬ 
suading two of the three bands of which the Lower Brules are composed 
to take their view of the case, and to consent to accompany them in 
search of a suitable location. Indeed, many of them were quite ardent 
in representing that those of the Indians who were desirous of begin¬ 
ning to plant were held in a part of their country where this course was 
an impossibility, and where they were removed some four or five miles 
from wood by the selfish opposition of one of the chiefs (Spotted Tail) 
and his band. The claims and couceit of this chief know no bounds, 
and being himself settled, with his baud, upon Bordeaux Creek, where, 
having wood and water and receiving rations from the Government, he 
lives at ease, he persistently opposed all the efforts of your commission¬ 
ers toward the selection of a site for the agency. As his infiuence 
towers above that of all others, the commission did not dare travel 
through the country against his will, and there was no course left to 
them and those who were ready to accompany them in seeking a site 
for the agency, but to succumb. 

He pursued a similar course in reference to several of the other prop¬ 
ositions of the commission. It was in vain that they urged upon him, 
day after day, that the Great Father was resolved that the people should 
be counted. The Corn band and the Loafer band, constituting about 
half the people, consented immediately; but Spotted Tail first re¬ 
fused and then prevaricated, and the commission were obliged to leave 
without accomplishing this object of their errand. They are of the opinion 
that the time has come for decisive measures, and that one man and his 
band should no longer be permitted to breed a spirit of resistance 
among the people and retard their progress. They recommend that the 
agent be instructed to desist immediately from issuing rations to any 
band which has not permitted itself to be registered, and to refuse them 
rations until they submit, and that measures be taken to insure that the 
military force at the agency is sufficient to support him in carrying out 
these instructions. 

They also recommend that this same commission be sent out again, 
and be provided with a sufficient cavalry force to protect them in search¬ 
ing for a suitable site for an agency. They have reason to thiuk that 
such a course would exert a most wholesome influence by showing these 
people that they must acquiesce in the demands of the Government, 
and that it would not lead to war. 

The commission have reason to believe that a suitable site for an 
agency may be found farther down the White Earth Kiver, either at 
the mouth of Big White Clay, about two hundred miles from the Mis¬ 
souri, at the mouth of Wounded Knee Creek, one hundred and eighty- 
five miles from that river, or near the south fork of the White Earth, 
about one hundred and twenty miles from the Missouri. 

The commission are not prepared, with their present information, to 
recommend the removal of the agency to the banks of the Missouri. 
Such a site would be desirable were economy in furnishing supplies and 
ease of military occupation the only desiderata; but the good of the 
Indians the commission holds to be a matter of supreme concern. So 
far as the commission could learn, the only land on the Missouri avail¬ 
able for the occupancy of the Brules is that formerly occupied by them 
at the mouth of Whetstone Creek. Its extent is represented as very 
limited and entirely unequal to the wants of a large body of Indians 
whose energies are to be directed to farming. The supply of timber is 
very insufficient. The land lies opposite to a strip occupied by ranch- 


14 


i 

men, who live largely by traffic in whisky, and who, when the Indians 
were located at the mouth of Whetstone Creek, some years ago, flooded 
their camp with whisky, and made it such a scene of riot and blood¬ 
shed that the people even yet speak of it with horror. Even the pres¬ 
ence of the military failed, it is represented, to suppress this traffic. It 
is an evil, it is to be feared, which no precautions could prevent at that 
spot among a body of Indians in which the white and half-breed element 
is as largely represented as it is among these Brules. 

PERMANENT HOME FOR THE SIOUX. 

A great part of the Sioux reservation is an utterly barren district. 
The arable land embraced within it will not be sufficient for the wants 
of half the population when they have given themselves to agriculture. 
Even where the soil is good, a crop cannot be raised more than one 
year out of three on account of ravages of grasshoppers and hail-storms, 
and the extreme dryness of the climate. Their reservation is thus a 
discouraging place for beginners in agriculture. Some of those of the 
Sioux who are making efforts in farming (for example, some of the 
Santees) are anxious to move to the Indian Territory. If good land is 
at the disposal of the Government in that Territory, the commission 
recommend that measures be taken for the gradual removal thither of all 
Sioux Indians who may be willing to emigrate. The Great Sioux reserva¬ 
tion should be used as a place for taming the Sioux and training them for 
the occupation of the Indian Territory as their home. 

PROMISE OF GUNS. 

The commission found that the Indians of Ited Cloud agency had 
been laboring under the impression that Commissioners Brunot and 
Kemble had, last year, made them, on behalf of the Government, a 
definite promise of guns. Indians base firm hopes on any semblance 
of a foundation. The evidence shows that those commissioners made 
no such promise, but merely expressed themselves in favor of giving 
the Indians a certain number of guns and promised to use their influ¬ 
ence in favor of it. Your commissioners are led to this conclusion by 
the testimony of military officers who were present, as well as by that 
of one at least of the interpreters. 

HOARDING OF AMMUNITION. 

It appears from the statements of the traders at lied Cloud and Whet - 
stone agencies, herewith sent, that the whole amount of trade during 
the three months beginning December 1, a time when the largest number 
of Indians was present at these agencies, was $37,224.59. The amount 
of ammunition sold to whites and Indiaus during the same time was 
$1,416.90, or less than one-thirteenth of the entire trade. 

During these months the number of Indians present was variously 
estimated from 20,000 to 25,000. If we take the less number as most 
likely to be correct, there would have been less than five thousand men, 
old enough to bear arms, present at both agencies. Deducting the old 
and the sick and those not owning arms, three thousand is probably 
the number actually buying ammunition. The amount purchased by 
each individual, therefore, was less than one-half dollar in value. The 
small Quantity the purchasers would receive for that sum, owing 
to the high rates charged by the traders, would seem to show conclu- 


15 


sively that no large quantity could have been hoarded. And if any 
individual belonging to hostile bands has purchased more largely, it 
has been probably for distribution when he should arrive at his own 
camp. This would make the quantity so small, that another use than 
the killing of game could hardly have been intended. It does not ap¬ 
pear that the demands made by Indians for permission to purchase am¬ 
munition have been larger than in previous years or than is usual. 

ADMINISTRATION OF RED CLOUD AND WHETSTONE AGENCIES. 

The commissioners arrived at Red Cloud agency Sunday morning, 
March 15, and on Monday began their investigations into the condition 
of affairs there, and continued them daily until March 18, when they 
drove to Whetstone agency and began a similar examination there. 
They returned to Red Cloud agency Friday, March 27, and resumed 
their investigations, concludingjthem the following Tuesday, when they 
resumed their examination at the Whetstone agency. They judged 
that the best basis for conducting their inquiry into the administra¬ 
tion of the agents was the allegations made against them in a report 
presented to the Board of Indian Commissioners by Mr. Samuel 
Walker, who visited the agencies last November, which report was re¬ 
ferred by the Department to this commission. Copies of this report 
were placed in the hands of J. J. Savilie and E. A. Howard, agents, and 
they were severally called upon to respond to its statements, and the 
charges against their administration of their offices to be inferred there¬ 
from. Their responses were subjected to a searching examination by 
the commission, and the truth of their statements ascertained. Wher¬ 
ever witnesses were referred to in proof of their assertions, they all (or 
a sufficient number of them) were summoned, and their testimony taken 
under cfath. Wherever books or papers were quoted or appealed to, 
they were examined by the commissioners personally. The responses 
of the agents are submitted as part of this report. Testimony taken in 
this connection is filed herewith. It became apparent to the commis¬ 
sion in the course of their inquiries that some of the affidavits which 
seemed to reflect most upon the character of the agents were such par¬ 
tial statements that they amounted to a culpable suppressio veri; and 
that some of the testimony on which were based the most damaging at¬ 
tacks upon their administration, was the testimony of a well-known de¬ 
serter and thief. 

Facts cited to the discredit of the agents which were gleaned at the 
agencies during their absence, and which they then had no opportunity 
to account for, were, when brought to their notice, satisfactorily ex¬ 
plained. Practices which were irregular were shown to have been una¬ 
voidable in the peculiar circumstances iu which these agents were placed. 
And transactions which at first sight seemed suspicious and to which a 
criminal intent had been imputed, were shown to have been character¬ 
ized by entire good faith, to have been carried on in broad daylight, 
and, where not justifiable, to have been not wrong-doing, but the mis¬ 
takes of men new in an office where, peculiarly, the incumbent can learn 
only from experience. 

In regard to one transaction, which is not, perhaps, sufficiently ex¬ 
plained in the reply of Agent Savilie, viz, the enrollment and pay of 
F. D. Appleton, clerk, during a period when he was not actually dis¬ 
charging the duties of his office, the conclusion reached by the commis¬ 
sion was as follows: 

The appointment of F. 1). Appleton was made in good faith, and from 


16 


the date on which his name appears on the pay-roll. The same was in 
good faith accepted by him by telegraph. He was to have started im¬ 
mediately for the agency to assume the duties of his office, and was only 
detained by an accident, (broken leg.) The agent daily expecting his 
arrival, retained his name on the pay-roll. The duties of his position 
were discharged by the agent and employes of the agency, and no other 
person received compensation as clerk up to the time of his assuming 
the duties of his office in person. The transaction involved irregulari¬ 
ties, but the commission do not find that any fraud was intended by the 
agent. 

The commission indorse the replies of the agents in all their material 
points, and give as the result of their prolonged investigation into the 
points touched upon in Mr. Walker’s report, and the result also of their 
intercourse with the agents, and their personal observations of men and 
things at the agencies, the entire relief of Agents Saville and How ard 
from the suspicions cast upon their characters and their administrations, 
and the earnest conviction that these gentlemen have performed their 
duties during a time of great trial and in the midst of great embarrass¬ 
ments with energy, honesty, and entire fidelity to the interests of the 
Government and the Indians, and that they deserve the confidence and 
commendation of the Department. 

The commission are of opinion that the service of the Department 
would be improved if the following instructions were issued, viz : 

That all beef and other provisions shall be issued by orders upon an 
* issue clerk, and that these orders should pass through the agent’s office 
in order to their appearance upon the books of the agency. 

That agents shall keep all their original orders upon their issue-clerks, 
in order that they may have at hand the means of satisfying the inqui¬ 
ries of inspectors and other authorized inquirers. 

That the present custom, by which departing agents carryall the 
papers of the agency away with them, and thus leave their offices 
without a history, and their successors destitute of any guides in their 
new duties, shall be henceforth forbidden, and that these papers shall 
be the property of the Department. 

OVER-ISSUE OF BEEF. 

In regard to one matter, which has come before the commission in 
several papers and which has been the occasion of a good deal of public 
animadversion, viz, the over-issue of beef, the commission reports, that 
it is unquestionable that there has been over-issue. It is freely admitted 
by both the agents; they have reported it to the Department from time 
to time. The commission believes it to have been unavoidable. In the 
first place, the Red Cloud and Spotted Tail agencies are but forty miles 
apart, and there is no doubt that the same Indians frequently drew' 
rations at both agencies, an evil which was remediless, as long as regis¬ 
tration was impossible. In the second place, it appears that at Red 
Cloud agency the supply of other provisions was short, and extra beef 
was consequently issued, as reported in Agent Saville’s letter to the 
Department, of December 29, 1873. In the third place, the testimony 
is abundant and unanimous to the point that these agencies, always 
the refuge in winter of northern Indians who have connected themselves 
with no agency in particular, were last winter the resort of a larger 
number than usual; that they united with the Indians belonging to the 
agencies in making the grossestmisrepresentations as to their numbers, 
and basing on them extravagant demands for rations; that they thwarted 


17 


all attempts of the agents to arrive at a true estimate of the amount of food 
they were entitled to; that a census could not have been made except 
at the peril of the agents’ lives ; and that the agents, failing in their 
efforts to number the people, always strove to cut down the issue to 
the lowest amount possible, and that their issues were generally far less 
than the Indians would have received had their exorbitant demands 
been fully complied with. 

There is, however, no evidence whatsoever that more beef was issued 
than w r as actually used, either by immediate consumption, or by being 
dried and laid by in store; and rumors to the effect that the issue of 
beef was so excessive last winter that large quantities were left to rot, 
the Indians taking only the hides, are, the commissioners believe, 
entirely without foundation in fact. 

WASTE OF FLOUR. 

The commission saw many evidences that there has been more or less 
waste of flour. This has not arisen, so far as the commission was able 
to discover, from an issue exceeding that authorized by the Depart¬ 
ment, but partly from the fact that wild Indians are not fond of flour, 
and are apt to neglect its use, especially when the supply of beef is as 
abundant as it has necessarily been at these agencies; partly from the 
fact that some of the flour issued had been long on hand and had become 
musty, and partly from the fact that large quantities of flour, which the 
present agent found on hand when he entered upon his office last June, 
being utterly unfit for use, were dealt out to the Indians to be fed to 
their ponies. The substitution of corn for a part of the flour supply is 
very acceptable to the Indians, and meets with the approval of the com¬ 
mission. 

VISIT OF SPOTTED TAIL TO CHEYENNE. 

Such a visit is likely to be suggested and to be made under the in 
fluence of designing white men, and is always more or less to be sus¬ 
pected. 

* As appears from the report of the commission, under the head of 
u supplies,” their quality is not such as to justify the complaints of 
Spotted Tail. Those familiar with wild Indians know that complaint 
is always the burden of their talk in an interview with those who are 
supposed to be in communication with the Great Father. 

As to which of the two routes should be used in transporting freight over¬ 
land to the Whetstone agency, whether that from Cheyenne or that from 
Fort Randall, the commission gained no information which enables it to 
express a decided preference for one route over the other. If the cost 
via Fort Randall is less than via Cheyenne, the commission knows of no 
disadvantages under which the former labors which should give the 
preference to the other. 

They thiuk that the proposition that Spotted Tail’s people, or those 
legally incorporated with them, should have the privilege of doing their 
own freighting, worthy of attention. If their agent is prepared to 
superintend it, and to make proper arrangements for the faithful dis¬ 
charge of the service, the plan has manifest advantages, and the com¬ 
mission recommend that it be tried. 

SUPPLIES, THEIR INSPECTION, QUAL1TV, ElC. 

Your commission are of opinion that a due regard to tl e interests of 
the Government and the Indians demands that all packages consigned 
to agents for the Indians in fulfillment of contracts should, without ex- 
2 r c 


18 


ception, bear the brand which marks them as the property of the Indian 
Department, and also the brand of the inspector, indicating that they 
have passed his inspection. 

Their examination of tiour in an unloaded car at the Cheyenne store¬ 
house, and of supplies in that storehouse and at the agencies, revealed 
the fact that this branding is frequently omitted. Many packages bore 
neither brand. 

They noticed that barreled pork is supplied, to a degree, at Whet¬ 
stone agency instead of, bacon. The supply of the latter article at both 
Red Cloud and Whetstone agencies was exhausted, so that the com¬ 
mission was unable to judge of its quality. They examined the pork, 
however, and found it sweet and good. 

The commission were not furnished with samples, and, therefore, could 
not determine whether the supplies were up to the standard required 
by the contract. They examined, however, the flour, sugar, coffee, and 
other supplies on hand at both agencies and in the storehouse at Chey¬ 
enne. They were all of fair quality. Both the agents agreed that it 
would be better to provide baking-powders instead of saleratus, as the 
Indians do not know how to use the latter properly. 

The commission took particular pains to inquire into the quality 
and weight of the beef furnished by the contractor during the current 
fiscal year. The testimony of many witnesses, and the personal obser¬ 
vation of the members of the commission, convinced them that the 
cattle have been remarkably excellent in quality, size, and condition, 
and that their average weight has been/on the whole, considerably 
above that required by the contract. The average weight required by 
the terms of the contract for the six months beginning July 1, 1873, 
was eight hundred pounds, while the cattle actually delivered at Red 
Cloud agency during the time regarding which the incumbency of the 
present agent enabled him to testify, weighed on an average as follows: 

FIRST SIX MONTHS. 


August 8_ 

August 15.... 
September 1.. 
September 15. 
October 1.... 
October 15.... 
November 1 . 
November 15 
December 1 .. 
December 15 . 


No. of 
head. 

Average 

weight. 

Total. 

20 

1,050 

21,000 

383 

1,010 

386, 830 

483 

1,040 

502, 320 

561 

1, 056 

589, 050 

647 

1, 063 

687, 761 

633 

1,043 

660, 219 

2f0 

993 

287, 970 

410 

963 

396, 470 

507 

975 

494, 497 

508 

946 

480, 568 


The average weight required by contract during the six months be¬ 
ginning January 1, 1874, was one thousand and fi.ty pounds, while the 
average weight delivered was as follows, viz: 


SECOND SIX MONTHS. UP TO DATE. 


Date. 

No. of 
head. 

Average 

weight. 

Total. 

January 1. 

312 

330 

904 

9Q9 A 

January 11. 

QQt 

9on 

January 21. 

340 

COl 

4yu, coo 

Orta 

February 2. 

356 

300 

1, UU4 

993 

o4U, yuo 

February 15. 

1 016 

004, OUo 
ont rtfwl 

March 7. 

350 

1 063 

OUO, 

**79 rt*vrt 

March 23. 

271 

l’ 053 

O 4 4, UOU 



4cO, 440 



































19 


These latter figures are below those required by the contract, but not 
as much below as those for the first six months are above. The whole 
average has been in advance of that which the contract demanded. 

The terms of the contract for the Whetstone agency are the same as 
those for the Red Cloud, viz, an average of eight hundred pounds for 
the six months beginning July 1, and an average of one thousand and 
fifty pounds for the succeeding six mouths. The average weights actu¬ 
ally delivered have been as follows : 

FIRST SIX MONTHS. * 


Date. 

f -- 

No. of 
head. 

Average 

weight. 

Total. 

July 12. 

322 

942 

303, 324 
759, 800 
467, 088 
483, 000 
532, 650 
1, 105, 632 
622, 250 
324, 825 


1,048 

1, 052 
1, 050 
1, 005 
1,047 
950 

August 15. 

444 

September 1. 

460 

September 15. 

530 

October 15. 

1, 056 

November 25. 

655 

December 12. 

355 

915 


SECOND SIX MONTHS, UP TO DATE. 

January 20 ....... 

401 

940. 38 

377, 092 
189, 878 
254, 207 

February 4. 

198 

959 

F ebruary 13. 

251 

1, 012. 80 

1, 028. 70 

March 19..... 

270 

277j 749 



The letter of the contract has not, as thus appears, been complied 
with at either agency, and the commission supposes that the contrac¬ 
tor is liable for damages for non-compliance. 

The mind of the commission, under these circumstances, is expressed 
in a letter of Agent Howard of March 26, and their indorsement of it 
given herewith as follows: 

Whether the contractor will accept this compromise, the commission 
are not informed. 


Whetstone Agency, Dakota Territory, 

March 26, 1874. 

Sir : I had the honor in my letter of the 16th instant to refer to the question of the 
future supply of beef for this agency. 

I desire herein further to state, that in consequence of the unsettled state of the 
country hereabout, it is difficult to get beef cattle here of the proper description to 
a;cord with the original terms of the contract for this season. 

Since receiving Department letter of February 13, I have received one lot for issue 
which does not weigh up to the requirements of that letter. 

The contractor states that they were driven here from a distance of 80 miles with 
only one night’s rest, thereby losing much of their weight, and that his herds having 
of late been frequently disturbed they have materially fallen off in weight. 

He has delivered at this agency, from July 1, 1873, to February 13, 1874, inclusive, 
5,397 head, weighing 5,419,746 pounds, averaging 1004.21 pounds, and therefore he has 
exceeded the average weight actually required by the contract. 

I respectfully ask permission to receive and receipt for cattle weighing a less aver- 
aie than 1,050 pounds, which I think he should be allowed to deliver. 

On 19th March, he delivered here 270 head, weighing 277,749 pounds, averaging 1,029 
pounds; which I request permission to receipt for at that weight. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

E. A. HOWARD, 

United States Indian Agent. 

Hon. Commissioner Indian Affairs, 

Washington , D. C. 





























20 


Whetstone Agency, Dakota. Territory. 

March 26, 1674. 


Sir: By the contract the average weight of cattle, during the first six months of the 
fiscal year, was to be at least 800 pounds. Evidence is abundaut that the average was 
far in excess of this, say 1,000. 

We think this fact a justification of leniency to the contractor if he is not able to 
furnish cattle quite up to the average required during the last six months of the fiscal 


The evidence is sufficient that during the disturbances the contractor, by advice of 
General Ord, removed his cattle to the Platte, and in consequence had to drive his cat¬ 
tle, at the time of the last issue, 80 miles without sufficient food and water. Their loss 
in weight under these circumstances must have been very considerable. We believe 
that, but for the late disturbance, the cattle furnished March 19 would have averaged 
1,050 pounds. ' 

We indorse the statement of the foregoing letter of Agent Howard, and recommend 
that the shortness of average weight during January, February, and March be over¬ 
looked, provided the contractor will furnish beef required for Whetstone and Red 
Cloud agencies, over and above amount required by contract, at con tract prices. We also 
recommend that the average weight of cattle to be furnished after this date shall bo 
not less than 900 pounds. 

Very respectfully, 

WILLIAM H. HARE. 

FRANCIS H. SMITH. 

J. D. BEYIER, 

SAMUEL D. HINMAN. 


Hon. Commissioner Indian Affairs. 


Your commissioners beg respectfully to close their report with the 
following digest of their recommendations and conclusions : 


RECOMMENDATIONS. 


That the agents at the Red Cloud and Spotted Tail agencies, and at 
any agencies hereafter established among the wilder Sioux, be sup¬ 
ported by a military force, which should, however, except under ex¬ 
traordinary circumstances, be at a short distance from the agency and 
not immediately adjoining. The relation of the agent and the command¬ 
ing military officer should be definitely determined.—(See pages 5-8.) 
That an agency be provided for the Northern Sioux, and that, to 
this end, they be refused rations at the existing agencies, and a del¬ 
egation of them be induced to visit Washington, and that the location 
of the agency be the neighborhood of the Black Hills.—(See pages 
8-9. 

That agents be instructed to carry out the'provisions of article I of the 
treaty of 1868.—(See pages 10-11.) 

That the northern line of Nebraska be run this summer.—(See 
page 11.) 

That a liberal present of blankets, Indian cloth, ticking, and blue dril¬ 
ling be made the Upper Brules and Ogallallas for the surrender of 
their right to hunt oh the Republican, and to roam over the neutral 
ground south of the Reservation, and they be informed that this right 
is withdrawn.—(See page 11.) 

That the agent at Whetstone agency be instructed not to issue 
rations to any band which refuses to be counted, and that your commis¬ 
sioners be requested to find a suitable place for the agency, aud that 
both have military protection.—(See pages 12-14.) 

That all beef and other provisions be issued by orders on the issue 
clerk, which orders should pass through the office in order to their ap¬ 
pearance on the books; that these orders be filed away for safe-keeping, 
and the books and papers of the agency be the property of the Govern¬ 
ment and not of the agent.—(See page 16.) 


21 


That the Indians of Whetstoue agency may be permitted to take the 
■contract for freighting.—(See page 17.) 

That brands of United States Indian Department and of inspector 
be placed upon all packages consigned to agents under contract.—(See 
page 17.) 

Kecommendation as to beef for balance of the current year.—(See pages 
18-20.) 

That, Indians being their own worst enemies, being bent on a mode of 
life which is fatal to their own good, and, moreover, rarely understand¬ 
ing the meaning of treaties, and more rarely still remembering 
the obligations therein laid upon them, a just and generous declara¬ 
tion by the United States Government of icliat they must do is a better 
mode of dealing with them than negotiation or treaty-making, wherever 
the Government is in a position to pursue the former course.—(See page 
0 .) 

That a system should be inaugurated for the removal of the Sioux, as 
soon as practicable, to a climate and soil less discouraging to the efforts 
of beginners in husbandry.—(See page 12.) 

That the Sioux be informed that depredations on other Indians 
displease the President.—(See page 11.) 

CONCLUSIONS. 

The late disturbances are not indicative of preparations for war.—(See 
page 6.) 

The present policy is accomplishing the results desired.—(See page 7.) 

Commissioners Brunot and Kemble did not promise these Indians guns. 
—(See page 14.) 

Removal of the Upper Brules to the Missouri is of doubtful wisdom.— 
(See page 13.) 

Ammunition has not been hoarded for war.—(See page 14.) 

Agents Saville and Howard are exonerated, and deserve confidence 
and commendation.—(See page 15.) 

Beef has been overissued, but the agents were helpless to avoid it.— 
(See page 16.) 

Beef has not been issued in such quantities that it has been left to rot. 
—(See page 17.) 

Flour has been wasted; causes given.—(See page 17.) 

Spotted Tail’s complaints at Cheyenne were not justifiable.—(See page 
17.) 

Supplies of all kinds are wholesome and of at least fair quality.—(See 
page 18.) 

Submitted on behalf of all the commissioners. 

I am, verv respectfully, your obedient servant, 

WILLIAM fl. HARE, 

Chairman . 

F. H. Smith, 

J. D. Bevier, 

Samuel D. H inman, 

William H. Hare, 

Commissioners. 

Washington, D. C. April 22, 1874. 


APPENDIX. 


No. 1. 

Reply of J. J. Saville , agent , to Samuel Walker's report. 

To the honorable Board of Indian Commissioners : 

In answer to the charges preferred against me by Mr. Samuel Walker, 
under date of December 6, or so much thereof as I am advised by your 
honorable body it is your wish I should make answer to, I would most 
respectfully state and represented as follows, to wit: 

1st. To charge marked number one I answer: That of the flour received 
by me as United States Indian agent, all of it was not marked or branded. 
What proportion I cannot say with any certainty. Since I have been agent 
I have never been advised what particular brauds'were necessary except 
the inspector’s brand, and when in Washington I informed the commis¬ 
sioners that such brand was wanting on some of the flour delivered at 
this agency. / 

With reference to any of the flour being in single sacks, I am satisfied 
such was not the case. 

In regard to the character or quality of the flour I have to say, I have 
never been advised what particular grade was required under the contract, 
though the flour received and used by me was sweet, must have been made 
of good wheat, and was sufficiently good to give entire satisfaction for my 
own and the consumption of the employes about the agency. In sup¬ 
port of the foregoing I would refer to B. F. Walters, William Stokes, 
and Benjamin Tibbetts. 

2d. In regard to charge number two I can only say, I have no means 
of knowing the exact distances referred to in such charge. There 
are two roads, the shortest of which I have traveled over, and should 
estimate the distance by such route from Cheyenne to Old Red Cloud 
to be from 95 to 100 miles, and from Cheyenne to the New Red Cloud 
from 180 to 190 miles. Though the other is a much longer road, it is 
necessary at some seasons to travel it. 

3d. In answer to charge three I would say, the same is wholly untrue; 
that I am informed, and believe the same to be true, that the clerk who 
receives the stores never told Mr. Samuel Walker or other party that 
nothing is weighed or receipted from the freight contractor, nor is it true 
that such is the case; everything so received is weighed on delivery. I 
never said I would not weigh, nor did the party named by Mr. Walker tell 
him that I made such a remark. In support of this I suggest the names 
of my receiving clerks, B. F. Walters, Benjamin Tibbetts, and Joseph 
Bissonette. 

4th. In answer to charge four I would say, the same is wholly untrue, 
and to negative the same I refer to my books; the testimony of J. H. 
Bosler, to disprove that he ever made such statement as is by Mr. Walker 
claimed to have been made ; also evidence of George M. Bosler. 

5th. Answering charge five I say, it is true that until November 7 
the beeves were received by an average weight, as up to that date 



23 


it was the only way I had of ascertaining the weight of such beeves, but 
it is wholly untrue that the weight of the cattle received by me was as¬ 
certained by weighing some of the largest cattle; but the truth is that 
a fair and just average of cattle was selected for the purpose of ascer¬ 
taining the weight of the number received. 

This averaging was the practice until the scales were put up, which 
was done as soon as practicable. In fact I urged forward the putting 
up of the large scales with all dispatch. Iu support of the foregoing 
please call the butchers, Benjamin Tibbetts, B. F. Walters, and Joseph 
Bissonette. 

6th. In answer to charge six I would say, it is true the issues of sup¬ 
plies are made to chiefs aud head-men; it is also true that as to some 
articles the issues were made with reference to the amount on hand. 
The reason of this was that since October I have never had a supply 
of articles on hand sufficient to make a full issue of all; and to satisfy 
the Indians for such deficiency I have been compelled to be more liberal 
in my issues of beef, of which I could command a supply at all times; 
nor is it true that no record is kept of what is issued, and in regard to 
the foregoing I would refer to B. F. Walters, Joseph Bissonette, 
Thomas Monohan, and my monthly reports for September and October. 

7tli. In answer to charge, or rather argument, seven it is difficult to 
respond, as no specific charge is made, and my answer to charge six 
disposes of the facts upon which the conclusions in number seven are 
based, though it may be proper for me to state that all employes should 
be, aud are, fed from the supplies as is allowed, and such rations ac¬ 
counted for. In support of this I refer to the records of the agency, my 
clerk, and many others. 

8th. In answer to charge eight I deny that no records are kept of 
the number of beeves issued; full and complete records are kept of all 
issues, in evidence of which I refer to the books of the agency and the 
testimony of my clerk, B. F. Walters. 

9th. In answer to charge nine I would say, that the papers of the 
agency do not show that there was on the 1st of October on hand 17,914 
pounds of beef, but did show on hand 11,068 pounds; that during that 
month there were received on the first day of October 647 head, averag¬ 
ing 1,063 pounds each; and on the 15th October 633 head, averaging 
1,043 pounds each. That on the first day of October I did not have on 
hand 60 head of beeves, but only 11, for which receipts were given, 
which 1L added to 1,280 would amount to 1,291, of which I issued 
1,212 head during the month of October, leaving 79 head which I had on 
hand on the 31st, day of October, less 67 lost and killed by Indians out of 
my herd without authority, which loss was duly reported to the Depart¬ 
ment by me. My receipts were never false or fraudulent. I did receive 
the number of beeves in October as above stated. There was an issue 
made on the 1st day of October, and the herd of the contractor never, 
to my knowledge, stampeded. No issues were omitted in October, as 
there were four issues during that month, to wit, on the 1st, 8th, 21st, 
and 23d, only that the issue of the 15th was postponed until the 21st, my 
reasons for which postponement appear in my report for that mouth, 
to which I respectfully refer. 

In regard to the stampede of cattle I shall be pleased to explain : On 
the 1st of October there were issued 267 head, and on the 8th there were 
issued 360 head; after this last issue a part of the agency herd stam¬ 
peded, and I then decided not to keep an agency herd, but requested 
Mr. Bosler to retain the cattle in his custody until I needed them for 
issuing, which he kindly consented to do, and also assisted me in get¬ 
ting up the cattle which had stampeded. This Mr. Bosler was not com- 


24 


polled to do, as his contract permitted him to make all his deliveries for 
a month in two installments. 1 directed the chief herder to turn over 
to Mr. Bosler’s herd all the cattle recovered, and in compliance with this 
order the herder did turn over to Mr. Bosler’s herd 242 head, and Mr. 
Bosler collected 355 head, making in all 597 head, for which Mr. Bosler 
acknowledged the receipt of, and accounted to me for the same. There 
were no cattle issued on the 18th, but on the 21st of October there were 
issued 180 head, and on the 23d of October 399 head. The 23d was the 
regular issue-day, and the issue was then made for that reason, and not 
on the solicitation of any one. After this I decided to make the issue 
every ten instead of, as formerly, every seven days, with a view of dimin¬ 
ishing the gross amount of the issue, if possible; hence the next issue was 
deferred until the 8th of November, when 390 head were issued, averag¬ 
ing 993 pounds each, all of which were weighed; and on the 18th of 
November 410 beeves were issued, averagiug967 pounds, which, though 
a fine herd, were not so large or so heavy as many former issues. 

As to what Mr. George M. Bosler told Mr. Walker 1 know nothing. 
1 did give receipts dated on the 1st of October for 647 head, and the 
receipt dated 15th of October for 633 head, all of which cattle were 
weighed as certified to and averaged the full amount allowed. My 
custom was, up to the middle of October, to send an order to the con¬ 
tractor for a certain number of cattle. When the order was filled and the 
cattle turned over to my herder he so reported to me; then I sent 
an order to my herder for enough to supply an issue, when the cattle 
were brought to the corral, and sometimes 10 and sometimes 20 were 
selected as an average, killed, and weighed. This was done out of every 
lot received until I got my scale set up, since when all have been 
weighed. 

10th. In answer to charge ten I deny that receipts were given for 
any cattle not delivered to the agency by the contractor, or for cattle 
which I never saw, unless at some time when I was absent from the 
agency. I further state that there is a record of all cattle received dur¬ 
ing the month of October, as well as every other month. On this 
charge I would refer to the records and the clerk, B. F. Walters. 

11th. In auswer to charge eleven I deny each averment in the same, 
and further answer that the lot of cattle weighed by Air. Appleton 
actually weighed 993 pounds on the scales, and that nothing was al¬ 
lowed the contractor for overdriving. As evidence on this point I 
refer to the records and George M. Bosler. 

12th. In answer to charge twelve I would say, that it has always been 
impossible for me to make any personal estimate of the number of lodges, 
though I have, on several occasions, attempted to count them, but 
the Indians were so much opposed to any proceeding of the kind, that 
my life was endangered in the attempt. I was therefore compelled to 
rely upon the best information I could gather in regard to the matter, 
and almost always allowed a much less amount than was returned by 
the Indians. (In regard to this I would refer to Joseph Bissonette, 
T. W. Reed, and every other man on the agency without respect to age 
or color. Also to my report for the month of October, and special re¬ 
port.) 

13th. In answer to charge thirteen I can simply say, no issues were 
omitted in the month of October. There were four issues iu that 
month. (In regard to this, see records; also call the clerk, B. F. Wal¬ 
ters.) 

14th. In answer to charge fourteen I would say, I kept the Depart¬ 
ment fully advised of all my proceedings, and particularly, that I was 
compelled to make over-issues of beef, and the reasons why, viz, that I 


was short of other rations, and the hostile attitude of the Indians. 
(See my report.) 

15th. In answer to charge fifteen I would say, that I did purchase 
ten horses—that I paid $70 apiece for them—and in regard to the mat¬ 
ter I make the following explanation. The horses were needed, the 
Commissioner authorized the purchase of them. I went into the market 
and attempted to buy, and found but one man I could purchase from, 
and I bought of him. The price I paid was reasonable and as low as I 
could buy. After the purchase I advised the Commissioner of what I 
had done and he approved the act, as I needed the ambulance mules 
to draw lumber, &c., and for a while used four of such horses on the 
ambulance in place of the mules. (In regard to this, see my corres¬ 
pondence with the Commissioner and call Jos. Kauier.) 

16th. In answer to charge sixteen I would say, when I came to the 
agency I found Edward McEvena acting as clerk, and being advised 
that he was a good one I requested him to remain in that capacity, but 
he informed me that he could not and should be compelled to ieave; 
whereupon I telegraphed to Frank D. Appleton, at Sioux City, Iowa, 
that I would give him the situation if he would come out immediately ; 
he answered by telegraph that he would be here on the 17th of August, 
when I placed his name on the pay-rolls. After waiting until that time 
and needing a clerk, I employed one temporarily, daily expecting Mr. 
Appleton. After some weeks, the mails being much delayed, I received 
a letter informing me that the day before he was to start for the agency 
he had broken his leg, but would come as soon as he could travel; as 
so long a time had elapsed since the date of the letter and its receipt 
I concluded he must then be on the road, so I continued the temporary 
incumbent in the position until Appleton arrived, when he assumed the 
position and paid the man who had acted for him and in his place. (In 
regard to this 1 refer to Otis W. Johnson.) 

17th. In answer to charge seventeen I would say, I did deliver to 
Joseph Bissonette two half bolts of cloth, one red and the other blue. 
I delivered this cloth to him to be distributed among the Indians on 
occasions of death, it being a custom of theirs that they must have 
something of the kind to modify their grief and make their hearts glad. 
Though a costume of this color may appear somewhat unusual as a 
badge of mourning, I am informed the cloth was disposed of as directed. 
(In regard to this I would refer to Joseph Bissonette.) 

The foregoing is most respectfully submitted to the consideration of 
your honorable body by 

Your most obedient servant, 

J. J. SAVILLE, 

United States Indian Agent. 

Red Cloud Agency, Dakota Territory, 

March 17, 1874. 


TESTIMONY IN REGARD TO RED CLOUD AGENCY AND IN RELATION 
TO AGENT J. J. SAVILLE’S REPLY TO SAMUEL WALKER^ REPORT.— 
(See appendix No. 1.) 

Affidavit of George M. Bosler m regard to beef accounts and allowance for 

shrinkage. 

I, George M. Bosler, on oath depose and say that I never told Samuel 
Walker that I made out the receipts for cattle delivered at the Red 
Cloud agency. I took no receipts for cattle; and all I told Mr. Walker 



26 


was that I could only estimate the number of beeves Government owed 
the contractor for by the orders I had on hand, and that one of the 
herders had two of such orders. 

I further depose and say that I delivered in person the cattle referred 
to in Mr. Walker’s report, which cattle he says did not weigh the amount 
allowed the contractor, but that an allowance was made for over-driving. 
And I further say that Mr. Walker’s statement in regard to such allow¬ 
ance for over-driving is wholly incorrect; that, on the occasion referred 
to as well as on all others, the contractor was only allowed and paid for 
the actual weight of the cattle delivered. 

I further depose and say that I was frequently present when the selec¬ 
tions were made for the purpose of ascertaining the average weight of 
the cattle delivered, and that on all such occasions a fair selection was 
made and not one that would tend to make the average weight more 
than it actually was. 

GEORGE M. BOSLER. 

Subscribed and sworn to before me and in my presence by the above- 
named George M. Rosier, this 28th day of March, A. D. 1874. 

J. D. BEVIER, 

United States Indian Inspector. 

Testimony of Agent J. J. Saville in regard to accounts of receipt and issue 

of beef. 

Doctor Saville produces books in evidence. Books were made from 
original private accounts of the agent; book produced. The agent 
made his private book from orders given Mr. Bosler for beef and from 
the issue-list after issues of August 8 and 15. We took up the issue- 
tickets from these two issues, but tickets are now lost. This book 
was at the agency at the time of Mr. Walker’s visit. Book also has 
account of cattle issued to individual Indians. It was not true that we 
had not account in the office to answer all Mr. Walker’s questions. 
Mr. Appleton may not have known it. I had all my beef-orders to Mr. 
Bosler and all the receipts to Mr. Wilder. My chief herder counted the 
cattle; he is not here now, he was inefficient and was discharged in 
November. The herd was so far away that I could not count them my¬ 
self ; but when the same were issued to the Indians I received and issued 
them and so knew the exact number received and issued. Anderson 
was discharged November 9; he was discharged by my order on 
account of not telling the truth in regard to cattle lost. Cattle are re¬ 
ceived by me by number and weight; before 1 had scales the herder 
reported to me before each issue; his account was corrected by my rec¬ 
ord ; the accounts agreed until the time of his discharge; he was dis¬ 
charged on account of not keeping a correct account in that instance. 
Herder reported to me also the number Mr. Bosler delivered to me; I 
gave him an order on Mr. Bosler for a certain number of cattle; Mr. 
George Bosler and the herder reported the number received at the first 
issue I made. 

March 28, 1874. 

Testimony of Agent J. J. Saville in regard to accounts kept of issue of beef' 

Dr. Saville. Irregular issues were madefrom orders given thelndians 
on the herder. Original orders are lost, but my memorandum is com¬ 
plete. These beeves were issued to Indians coming in not on issue 
days. Once I issued to Sundancers. These orders were copied on my 
books when the herder handed them in. The only issue lately so made 


27 


was to Pawnee Killer on tbe Platte. Our books are now regularly kept. 
My books are now made up from items and have been so from the begin¬ 
ning; they are correct. I make up my list from the number of Indians. 
I issue to the Indians at the corral. They take the cattle as they are 
called off and the clerk checks the name on the list. No issue is made 
to Indians not present. I now make no irregular issues. Since October 
a record is kept of beef issued at headquarters for employes, widows, 
&c. The herder’s account and ours tally. Freighters feed themselves. 
No outside persons are fed at agency. I have a list of widows and 
half-breeds ted at headquarters; the whole number is over 200. I 
know of no whites living here not married to Indian women and living 
with them. 

March 30, 1874. 


Testimony of Agent J. J. Saville in regard to beeves issued to X. Jannis. 

Dr. Saville. I did issue 10 beeves to Nick. Jannis. He has received 
rations under the treaty. At the time he had four Indian families liv¬ 
ing with him. He and they were entitled to two beeves each month. 
At the time of stampede, Jannis picked up 10 head and reported them 
to Mr. Bosler as received by him, and so retained : since, he has received 
no beef, and since November 1st he has received no rations from here. 
The Indians have left him, and we are short of rations. 

March 30, 1874. 

Testimony of J. If. Bosler in regard to statement that he , Mr. Bosler , kept 
the only account of beef received and issued. 

Mr. J. H. Bosler sworn. I represent Mr. Wilder in filling the beef 
contract. I never made such statements as these referred to. I saw 
Mr. Walker at Cheyenne. Mr. Walters makes out the receipts. They 
read as follows : Received of A. H. Wilder, 300 cattle weighing (so 
much,) averaging (so many pounds,) signed J. J. Saville, United States 
Indian agent. I was in the country when the stampede occurred. We 
turned over to Dr. Saville on the 1st of October 647 head and received 
a receipt for them. The hitter part of October I was going away and 
asked Dr. Saville for the receipt for the 15th of October. He consented 
and received and receipted for them on the 8th. On the, 8th I turned 
over 633 head. Very soon after the stampede occurred, the 8th or 9tli. 
A portion of the cattle were left on his range. He asked me for per¬ 
mission to turn them back into the herd, as he wanted to send his men 
to hunt the cattle lost. I think he had 140 head on his range at that 
time., They were turned back into my herd and my herder received 
and receipted for them. We sent our men out at his request to assist 
his men to hunt the cattle. We found some of them, say 70 at first, on 
their way to the Platte. We then gathered in, in addition to that, 265 
head. This made 355 head that we receipted for. Then his herders- 
brought in 40, and then, I think, 15 head brought in by Mr. Ander¬ 
son. I remember this, because he claimed more. He got in in the eve¬ 
ning. In the morning the boys went out to bring them in. The doctor 
gave me orders to give Nick. Jannis 10 head. He had found 10 head he 
thought were mine. I told him to take the ten head and I would account 
for them. Then Mr. Anderson and one of the men went to the Platte, 
and there he was taken sick. He had got up a bunch of cattle and 
lost them. I told them they were not there. He afterward trailed them 
into the sand-hills and he got 37. I think we got in all from the doc¬ 
tor’s men 240; he claims 242. This occurred in October, and the doc- 


28 


tor went to Washington. He had made an issue for the October 8th 
out of this stampeded herd. He then abandoned his herd. After this 
he must get his cattle from my herd. On the 20th October he ordered 
200. Until Christmas he got cattle from my herd; he then owed me, 
December 23, for 200; October 25,399 ; November 6,390; November 
17, 410; November 28, 200; December 9, 401; December 20, 300; and 
10 to Nick. Jannis—total 2,310 head. 1 accounted to him for 355 head 
my men had found, and 240 that his own men had found—total 355 
from 2,310, leaving my due December 23, for 1,715 head. He gave a 
receipt dated November 1, 280 head; November 15, 410 head; Decem¬ 
ber 1, 507 head ; December 15, 508 head, which balances. He made an 
issue on the 17th for 410. Receipts are given for the 1st and 15th of 
each month. On the 1st an average was cut out and weighed; on the 
8th we weighed an average for the 15th. The butcher and Mr. Tibbetts 
and Mr. Appleton selected averages. The cattle weighed more than 
the average; Dr Saville took olf 23 pounds ; he also took off 26 pounds 
from September 16, and he did it once after because he thought I got 
too good an average. The cattle returned were as good cattle as I re¬ 
ceived from him. I have no knowledge, direct or indirect, that the 
stampede was made in order to get the cattle back into my herd. The 
-cattle were stampeded by Indians. The 67 head did not come back 
into my herd. Jannis, then interpreter, said the Indians killed 15 head 
on the head of White River. I suppose that these were agency cattle. 
Some also went over White River. 1 don’t know' how many. I think 
the Indians got them all. The agent kept a memorandum-book of the cat¬ 
tle received, and I brought in his orders and he compared them with 
his books, and I saw him do it. The agent’s orders to me w 7 ere always 
in ink. 

March 28, 1874. 

Testimony of Mr. Walters , in regard to average of beef and scales. 

Mr. Walters. I saw flour mentioned by Bissonette. I don’t know 
where it came from. It is from State mills, from Green, of Omaha. Mr. 
Tibbetts attends to the averaging of beef. I believe he acted fairly. I 
never saw bulls and stags in the herd. Scales were put up as soon as 
they could be, but delays were occasioned by press of work. I never knew 
butcher to be approached by Mr. Bosler or others. I have done no 
weighing. Mr. Appleton and son did the weighing. I don't know how the 
weights compare before and after the scales were up. 1 never knew of any 
allowance for shrinkage. I think the agent has looked out for the interest 
of the Government, butl knownothingaboutit. I take always theactual 
weights. I make up lists for order of cattle with the doctor. I never 
knew the contractor to urge alarger issue. I never knew or heard of the 
Indians selling cattle back to the contractor. I never kuew of the Indians 
leaving cattle on the prairies and only taking their hides. We alw r ays cut 
down the number of lodges as reported by the Indians. We thought the 
Indians, even then, overestimated, but we could not help it. Mr. Walker 
talked to Indians when they came in, but made no promises. Mr. Walker 
talked with me, but Mr. Johnson was always present. I thought Mr. Wal¬ 
ker wanted to find out that the agent was wrong. I thought Mr. Walker 
seemed anxious to find out that. He said he had damned good ground for 
an examination. This is what he said ; he was very profane. I never 
heard him question employes. I said to him, u Mr. Walker, you swear by 
note.” He said, “ Yes, I am a professional swearer; I have been at it along 
# time.” I thought Mr. Walker seemed to like to see employes privately. 
Mr. Appleton did not oppose Mr. WVs examination, but told me to give 


29 


him all the information in my power. I thought at first he came to find 
out the truth, but I afterward thought from his talk that he was not 
quite right. I thought his examination not fair. The doctor has a 
young man who assists Mr. Bissonette in interpreting. He is reported 
as a laborer. 

March 30, 1874. 

Testimony of Mr. Walters , in regard to issue of beef. 

Mr. W alters. Beeves are issued on lists made up from number of In¬ 
dians to each band. They are issued at corral, interpreter calling out 
names of Indians and clerk checking names as the beeves are turned out. 
B ioks are made up from lists. All Iudians have been present except at 
the last issue, when part of the Indians did not come till morning and 
the cattle were kept over for them. Books are kept as in any business, 
aud show all transactions correctly, both of receipts and issue of provis¬ 
ions. 

March 30, 1874. 


Testimony of Benjamin Tibbetts in regard to mode of averaging beef. 

Benjamin Tibbetts. Was present at issue of beef; was present when 
beef was averaged, and selected average myself. 1 used to shoot those 
I chose. Sometimes the butcher selected. We selected what we thought 
a good average. I used to judge myself. Once I referred to the chief 
herder and he thought my average was too light. The contractor was some¬ 
times present. The doctor gave me instructions and the contractor did 
not. In October and November cattle averaged over 300 pounds net as 
weighed in commissary, £ allowed for shrinkage. Cattle were then in 
good condition; better than now. Cattle are now in fine order. This 
year cattle have been good; better than ever before. They were driven 
late before, but this year they winter here and are fat. The contractor 
never gave me instructions; the agent gave me instructions to select 
light ones. Anderson sometimes selected an average. I never heard 
why he was discharged. I think he was a good herder. Scales were 
put up in November. Agent was anxious for scales to be put up. Aver¬ 
age is no less since the scales are up. Cattle are all weighed if possible. 
I am paid $75 and board. I have always been paid this. I received 
presents from the beef contractor, and he never paid me anything. 

March 30, 1874. 

Number and iveight of cattle received from August 8, 1873, to March 31, 1874, at lied Cloud 

agency , Dakota Territory. 


August 8,1873.... 
August 15,1873.... 
September 1, 1873. 
September 15, 1873. 
October 1,1873 ... 
October 15, 1873 ... 
November 1, 1873. 
November 15, 1873. 
December 1, 1873 . 
December 15, 1873 . 
January 1, 1874... 
January 11, 1874... 
January 21, 1874... 
February 2,1874.. 
February 15. 1874.. 

March 7, 1874. 

March 23,1874. 


Number 
of head. 

Average. 

Total. 

20 

1,050 

21, 000 

383 

1,010 

386, 830 

483 

1,040 

502, 320> 

561 

1, 050 

589, 050 

647 

1, 063 

687, 761 

633 

1,043 

660, 219 

290 

993 

287, 970 

410 

963 

396, 410 

507 

975 172-507 

494, 497 

508 

946 

480, 568 

312 

904 262-312 

282, 310 

330 

881 120-330 

290, 856 

340 

1, 002 228-340 

340, 9C& 

356 

993 

353,508 

300 

1,016 264-300 

305, 064 

350 

1, 063 

372, 050 

271 

1,053 62-271 

285, 425 




























30 

Number of cattle received at Red Cloud agency. 


Aug. 15, 1873.—Issued from corral. 163 

15, 1873.—Killed for headquarters’ issue. 7 

23, 1873.—Killed for headquarters’ issue. 5 

23, 1873.—Issued from corral. 185 

Sept. 1, 1873.—Issued from corral. 172 

7, 1873.—Headquarters’ issue. 8 

8, 1873.—Headquarters’ issue. 7 

8, 1873.—Issued from corral. . 235 

8, 1873.—Orders on herd. 28 

15, 1873.—Killed for headquarters. 6 

15, 1873.—Issued from corral. 244 

23, 1873.—Issued from corral. 253 

23, 1873.—Killed for headquarters. 7 

23, 1873.—Little Wound on Platte. 43 

28’ 1873.—Scraper, Face, Smoke Maker, and other Indians. 15 

Sun Dance. 4 

Old Eagle, Red Dog, Red Leaf, and White Cow Walking. 4 

Standing Soldier. 4 

Pretty Crow, Racer, and Hoska. 3 

Arapahoes. 4 

Horse Road. 5 

Cheyenne. 7 

N. Jannis. 10 

Dull Knife. 14 

Little Wound on Platte. 32 


1,435 


Received up to date..... 1,447 

•On hand...«. 12 


Testimony of Agent J. J. Saville in regard to marking of flour. 

Dr. Saville. All the flour did not have T. S. Clarkson’s, inspector’s, 
brand. I think the larger proportion did not. I think all did not have 
on them the brand United States Indian Department. I know that 
many did not have it. I think most of the bags had marks that showed 
the flour to be the property of the United States. There was no mark 
on many sacks that would prevent them being exchanged for other flour. 
The millers’ brands are usually on. 

March 30,1874. 

Testimony of Agent J. J. Saville in regard to four . 

J. J. Saville sworn. I am United States Indian agent for Red 
Cloud agency. I came here to relieve Dr. Daniels, on the 8th of August. 
I arrived at the agency on the 13th of August. I can testify as to flour from 
personal examination. I can’t say what per cent, of the flour was not 
branded; I think very few sacks were not branded. My attention was not 
especially called to that point. A good many did not bear the inspect¬ 
or’s mark. I have not observed any particular difference in quality of 
flour between now and last September. Some of the flour was of the 
old contract. The flour seemed of equal quality since the new contract. 
I do not think any bad flour has been issued or received. I have never 
been instructed to examine whether the flour was branded or not. I 
would not receive a load not branded. I think the inspector’s brand 
should appear. I so reported at Washington. They thought it not 
right. I never receivedjsamples of flour, corn, &c., to be furnished. If 
I had found, or should 'find flour unhealthy or bad, I would reject it. 
I consider the flour fair and good flour. I know nothing about the 






























31 


flour’s being wasted, by observation. I have been told that traders 
have bought flour lately, and I have forbidden it. I issued anvorder as 
soon as I heard of it. 

March 28,1874. 

Testimony of B. F. Walters in reyard to flour. ' 

Benjamin F. Walters sworn. At time of Mr. Walker’s visit I was 
store keeper at Red Cloud agencj\ I am now clerk at same place. I 
received and issued provisions. I received flour. It was branded 
United States Indian Department flour. Some sacks were not branded; 

I do not know how many. Some loads were all branded. I did not open 
sacks. It was issued by Mr. Nolan and others. Many sacks were torn, 
and I could see the double sacks. I refer to the time I was clerk. I 
think the flour in February was better than before; we used it in our 
mess. The Martin brand was the best. There is a difference in the 
color of the flour. All of it is sweet. I had no instructions as to re¬ 
ceiving no sacks not branded. We have no copy of the flour contract 
in the office, and have never seen it. The inspector’s brand is only on 
a few sacks. 1 noticed a difference in the flour. I had no means of 
knowing whether the flour was up to contract or not. We had no sam¬ 
ples furnished. I came to the agency in July last, before Dr. Daniels 
left. 

March 28, 1874. 

Testimony of W. Stokes in regard to flour. 

W. Stokes sworn. I am assisting the commissary clerk. In Octo¬ 
ber and November I was a laborer. When Mr. Walker was here I think 
I was in the commissary. On reflection I think I was not in the commissary. 

1 don’t know when I began work in the commissary. I think I began 
between the 1st and middle of December. 1 handled flour when in the 
commissary. 1 think all the sacks were branded; possibly some were 
not branded. All the sacks were double—all that I opened were double 
sacks. I am not a judge of flour. The flour used by employes is the 
same as issued to Indians. I don’t think the flour is extra flour. I \ 
never heard the employes complaiu, but they frequently desired better. 

I think some of the flour is musty. I began to work here on the 13th of 
last August. I think the thnir now is the same as was issued last fall. 

I don’t know anything about the flour contract. 

March 28, 1874. 

Testimony of B. F. Walters in the matter of iceighing supplies. 

B. F. Walters, clerk at agency. Was receiving clerk at the time of 
Mr. Walker’s visit. I examined bills of lading, and received goods. 
Packages were weighed as far as possible. Sometimes we could not 
weigh all on account of want of time before issue. Once a whole issue 
was made without weighing. We always counted all the packages. 
When we did not count on one occasion, it was on account of pressure 
of the Indians, who threatened to take the goods if not issued immedi¬ 
ately. I think the emergency such that it was justifiable. Dr. Saville 
never told me not to weigh. Once the scales were broken, but were 
fixed before next issue. At the time of the issue without weighing Dr. 
Saville was not here. I never told Mr. Walker that the agent instructed 


32 


me to receive without weighing. Mr.-(young man) was clerk 

at the tirpe. I never knew a case where freighter was allowed a difference 
on weight on account of a claim of his. Once on comparing bills w r ith re¬ 
ceipts it was short, and freighter paid difference. Goods were weighed in 
nine cases out of ten. We never weighed flour, but only the sacks. We 
weighed sugar, and I have items. Coffee all weighed. Mr. Walker may 
have meant the acting clerk. He means me ; and I never told him that, 
and could not have told him so truly. Mr. Walker seemed anxious to 
obtain information against the agent. The agent and 1 have always been 
on intimate terms. I think Mr. Walker was anxious to pick flaws and find 
fault, and overlook the good things. Packages broken open, sugar and 
bacon, were so weighed and noted, and I know that the deficiency was 
made up. I know the doctor intimately, and we have been on good terms. 
From personal knowledge, I don’t think Dr. Saville entered into collu¬ 
sion with contractors or others; if so, I should have known it. I never 
was approached by Dr. Saville and invited into relations that would 
forbid the disclosure of any business of the agency. Official business is, 
of course, confidential, and not to be communicated to persons not law¬ 
fully interested in it. (Books shown.) 

March 28,1874. 

Testimony of Joseph Bissonette in regard to iceight of provisions. 

Joseph Bissonette, Jr., sworn. Interpreter; been at this agency 
three years. Have been present when freight has been received from con¬ 
tractors. Freight is always weighed. Corn, sugar, coffee, tobacco, are 
weighed. Some of the flour is weighed. Sometimes all the sugar is not 
weighed. Mr. Walters takes account of the weights. I do not know 
whether teamsters use the provisions en route or not. I think the In¬ 
dians had formerly too much flour, but not now. They used to keep it. 
They fed it to their horses and sold some to traders. They prefer part 
corn. There was some bad flour here; some of the flour is always bad. 
The last is the best we have had. The flour is dark, some of it. I have 
a bad sack, issued to me two weeks ago. I do not know whether it has 
the inspector’s mark or not. I get $83.33 per month and rations. There 
is also a boy here who interprets. I have heard Dr. Saville speak to 
the Indians about guns. He never told them he w T ould get them guns. 
He and Dr. Daniels told the Indians they would try to get the guns, if 
they could. I never made affidavit contrary to this. Mr. Walker came 
to my room, and he asked me if Dr. Saville or Dr. Daniels ever prom¬ 
ised the Indians guns; and I answered no, and told him they told the 
Indians they would get the guns if they could, as they thought the com¬ 
mission had promised them. 

March 30,1874. 


Testimony of Benjamin Tibbetts in regard to iceight of provisions, &c. 

Benjamin Tibbetts sworn : Butcher; was butcher last fall. I came 
when the agency was first established, with Dr. Daniels ; don’t remem¬ 
ber the month. Saw something of the receipt of freight, though not 
always, as it was not my business. When I saw it things were weighed ; 
1 think always. I do not think flour was weighed. Sugar was weighed, 
but not always; it was always weighed when the barrels were broken. 

March 28,1874. 



I 


33 


Testimony of Mr. Walters in regard to account of issue of provisions. 

Mr. Walters. We issued according to amounts on hand when 
amounts would not warrant a full issue. We issued in proportion to 
what we had, and took the number of lodges iuto account. Accounts 
were kept, but we sometimes were obliged to give Indians more than 
they were entitled to receive. We also lost something for over-weight. 
We divide the amount issued by the whole number of lodges. We 
often were obliged to issue more sugar than they ought to have. We 
were also obliged to give to them and make presents. So we were 
obliged to make up our account from provisions on hand. We never 
gave freighters provisions. I once gave some bacon to a man who 
was delayed by a storm. The agent ordered it. I never made any 
over-issues to whites. We keep an account of rations issued to em¬ 
ployes, and the account is reported to Washington. Employes eat at 
the mess-house. We sometimes fed Indians at the mess-house. Some 
employes eat at our mess and also draw rations for their Indian families. 

March 30, 1874. 

Testimony of Agent J. J. Saville in regard to matter of Frank D. Appleton 

Dr. Saville. Vouchers were given to Mr. Appleton, sr., for his son 
to sign. The pay-roll is signed by Appleton, sr., for his son, and whether 
by his authority or not I do not know. I do not know who signed the 
voucher. I told Mr. Appleton he should either send the voucher to 
Frank or get his authority to sign it. Mr. Appleton never saw the 
check that was paid to Frank. It was given to Frank in person. Mr. 
Otis W. Johnson acted for Frank D. Appleton until he came. Mr. 
Johnson worked during the making-up of the rolls. I paid F. D. Apple- 
ton by check. [Check-book stubs shown.] Checks were all drawn on 
October 6, and paid out when called for. My desire to have Frank 
here with me induced me to wait for him longer than I otherwise would 
have done. 

March 30,1874. 

Testimony of Otis W. Johnson in regard to the matter of the pay of Frank 

D. Appleton. 

Otis W. Johnson sworn: I was employed on the agency from the 
time Dr. Saville took charge until December, except about a month. 
I was on the rolls as laborer, and was also at old agency as watchman. 
I was acting as clerk here part of the time; from middle of September 
until I was relieved. I was in the office during this time. I was not 
in the office before that. I was left at Red Cloud as watchman when 
Dr. Daniels left. I expected to be employed as issue-clerk. While I 
was suspended I performed no duty for the agency. When I was re-in¬ 
stated in September I acted as clerk. I was carried on the rolls, when I 
first went as clerk in place of Mr. Appleton, as laborer. I received $40 
per month. Mr. Frank Appleton came in the middle of November, 
about the time the scales were put up. I always went on the rolls as 
Otis Johnson ; I was formerly enrolled rightly, under Major Wham. I 
was put on the rolls as Otis Johnson by mistake. I understood that 
when F. D. Appleton came, I was no longer to act as clerk, but be dis¬ 
charged. I made out this pay-roll, [roll shown,] for portion of quarter 
beginning October 1. I was paid by pay-roll, by check, by Dr. Saville, 
at rate of $40 per month ; paid till time of my discharge. From Octo¬ 
ber to December I was carried as laborer. 

March 30,1874. 

3 R c 



34 


t 


Testimony of Agent J. J. Saville in regard to the discharge of George An¬ 
derson. 

Dr. Saville. I never saw affidavit drawn up by Mr. Appleton. Mr. 
Appleton told me he had drawn up a paper, and that Anderson did 
not sign it. The facts as stated in the paper prepared by Mr. Appleton 
are true, except that they were to be returned to the herd and not to 
the agency; and also the number claimed by Mr* Bosler differed. The 
difference was fifteen head. Mr. Heck gave evidence that Mr. Hosier’s 
statement was correct, and I then allowed Mr. Bosler’s account. Mr. An¬ 
derson was alone at the time of the difference with Mr. Bosler. Mr. 
Heck is a freighter. Anderson drove the cattle into Mr. Heck’s camp, 
and he camped with him ; Mr. Heck thus saw the cattle and they num¬ 
bered only ten. Mr. Bosler gave me credit for ten. One hundred and forty 
head were returned to Mr. Bosler, and afterward one hundred and two 
were returned to Mr. Bosler. Mr. Bosler’s herders gathered three hun¬ 
dred and fifty-five head. Total loss to the herd was sixty-seven. The 
whole herd numbers six hundred and fifty-nine. I think this number 
correct. I do not remember exactly; my books will show ; books show 
it. I find out the number of cattle delivered to me by the statement of 
my herder, but now we have scales by the number and weight by me 
received. The report of herder was made to me before each issue. I com¬ 
pared his report with my own records. I found the accounts agreed 
until the time of the stampede, and then his account was not correct, 
and 1 discovered him in attempt to deceive and so discharged him 

March 28, 1874. 

Testimony of Agent J. J. Saville in regard to the purchase of horses. 

Dr. Saville. I bought the best horses I could find. Others were 
offered, but were of too high a price. Herding-horses should be mus¬ 
tangs, and not American horses. The horses were used for herding. I 
bought them of Mr. Shirley, of Idaho, in Cheyenne. I think the price 
high, but could not do so well on the Platte. Refers to letter-book as 
to consent of Commissioner of Indian Affairs. 

March 30, 1874. 

Testimony of Thomas Reed in regard to affidavit made for Mr. Walker. 

Thomas Reed sworn. In October and November I was sub-agent 
for Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indians. Have been here ever since the 
agency was established. Was out all last summer with the Cheyennes and 
Arapahoes. I returned here in November. I left here for the East the 
last of November. I went to Washington. I don’t think it has been pos¬ 
sible to count the Indians here. The Indians forbade it and would not 
let the whites cross the river. I understand the Indians could not be 
counted; at the old agency they were counted frequently, but here they 
have objected to it. I don’t know why they refused to be counted. I 
have only been here since the troops came here. I saw Mr. Walker 
in Washington in the Washington House, and in Ecoffey’s room. I had 
a conversation with him in regard to issue of beef. I made an affidavit 
that the Indians had been counted, and probably could be counted again. 
But I did not know the condition of affairs here, and I now see that it 
was impossible. I told him I had been through Mr. Bosler’s herd with 
Mr. Freel, and that I thought it the finest herd I had seen. I told him 
that I had drawn 75 head for the Cheyenues and Arapahoes, and that 


35 


I thought them a small average of the herd, and that I thought they would 
average at least 800 pounds. I considered that Mr. Bosier had 
picked out small cattle forme. I told hi in I had seen Mr. Bosler’s herd on 
the Platte, and thought them tine and that they would go over 1,000 
pouifds. Mr. Walker did not take my whole statement, but only part of it, 
and said that was all he wanted. I saw 5,000 or 0,000 of Bosler’s herd on 
both sides of the Platte. I was with Mr. Freel. I saw them culling 
out the small cattle 2 and 3 years old to sell to some person on Deer 
Creek. I don’t know to whom they were sold. I can’t say that Mr. 
Walker told me he did not want all my statement. He did not take it 
all. I do not know Mr. Walker’s motive in questioning me. I told Mr. 
Walker that the herd was a fine one, and also Mr. Welsh in Philadel¬ 
phia. I also told him about the 75 head weighing 800 pounds. Mr. Welsh 
came to the La Pierre House, in Philadelphia, to see me. Mr. Walker 
took part of my testimony, but not all. He did not take the part where I 
spoke of the herd being a fine herd. I told him he had not taken all 
and he said he had all he wanted. I did not know his object. 

March 30, 3874. 

Testimony of J. Bissonette in regard to cloth given him. 

Joseph Bissonette. The doctor gave me two bolts of cloth after 
the issue, to be given to Indians for their dead and other purposes. It 
was so used by me, and by my woman after I went to Washington. I 
was not required to account for it. Some of it was used for messengers 
and to wrap tobacco in for peace embassies. I told Mr. Walker in 
Washington what it was given to me for. I made an affidavit to that 
effect. 1 told him part of it was for me and part for the Indians. I 
drew my share with the chiefs ; the chiefs receive 8 yards of each kind. 
A bolt contains 40 yards, and some only 30 yards. 

March 30, 1874. 


Affidavit of Todd Randall. 


In regard to the statement of Mr. Walker of attempted collusion by 
Mr. Todd Randall with Moore, freight agent at Cheyenne, in regard to 
fraud in the delivery of flour at Red Cloud agency, the said Todd Ran¬ 
dall, being duly sworn, says that he made no such collusive proposal, 
but, having a quantity of flour on hand, in his store, at the agency, sup¬ 
posing the flour contractor delivered his goods at the agency, he, Ran¬ 
dall, inquired of Moore whether he could not sell such flour to the con¬ 
tractor at the agency, and, receiving a negative reply, no further inquiry 
and no proposition was made in the matter. 

TODD RANDALL. 


Sworn to and subscribed before me, at Red Cloud agency, the 17th 
day of March, 1874. 

J. D. BEYIER, 

United States Indian Inspector. 


Value of hides and robes bought by Todd Randall , trader , at Red Cloud 

agency. 

Number of hides received and shipped from December 1, 


1873, to March 16, 1874, 2,397, at $3. $7,191 00 

On hand 200, at $3. 600 00 





36 


Skins shipped: 

368 buffalo-robes, at $6.25. $2, 300 00 

33 packs skins, at $22. . 726 00 

10,817 00 


Amount of goods traded bv Todd Randall at Red Cloud agency from 
December 1, 1873, to March 16, 1874, showing amount of ammunition 
traded during same time : 


Goods bought at wholesale.. $11? 694: 34 

Ammunition, wholesale.. 530 25 


Part of ammunition is still on hand. 


Amount of ammunition and merchandise bought and sold byJ. IP. Dear, 
trader , at Bed Cloud agency , from December 1, 1873, to March 30, 
1874. 


Red Cloud Agency, Wyoming, 

March 30, 1874. 

Gentlemen : In reply to yours requesting statement of merchandise 
sales, sales of ammunition, and ammunition on hand, total number of 
hides traded, and number of robes bought since 1st December to date, 
respectfully state the amount of merchandise sold is about $9,000 The 
amount of ammunition sold is $186.65. Amount ammunition on hand, 
700 rounds of pistol-cartridges. Have traded, in the time, 1,060 beef- 
hides and 490 buffalo-robes, with a large lot of small fur and skins. 

Very respectfully, yours, 

J. W. DEAR. 


No. 2. 

Beply of E. A. Howard , agent , to Walker’s report . 

Whetstone Agency, Dakota Territory 

March 22,1874. 

To the Hon. Board of Indian Comytssio uers: 

In answer to the charges preferred against me by Mr. Samuel Walker, 
under date of December 8, 1873, or so much of such charges as I am 
advised it is the wish of your honorable body I should make answer 
unto, I would most respectfully answer and represent as follows, to wit: 

1. In answer to charge marked one, I would say that the issues are 
calculated from the number of lodges, and an amount issued based on 
such calculations, and a full record is kept of this amount so actually 
issued, and the clerk never, as I am informed and verily believe, told 
any one that the stated number for which an issue was made did not 
equal the actual number. All the issues calculated were fully expended, 
though the number of lodges given in, because believed to be excessive, 
was often cut down, but in such case a record was only made of the amount 
of the issue actually made. (See records; call Clerk E. Willard and 
Dominick Bray.) 

2. In answer to charge number two I would say I never gave or is¬ 
sued anything to supply more than the quantity actually needed, and 
neither beef or anything else was charged in excess of what w r as actu¬ 
ally expended. (See records; call Willard and Bray.) 








37 


3. In answer to charge three, I would say I did not have on hand, 
tlie 30th day of September, 950 head of beeves, but 775 head ; I did re¬ 
ceive in October 1,056 head, making a total of 1 831 head; of this num¬ 
ber I expended in October 883 head, in November 749 head; there was 
lost and stolen during this quarter 66 head, and after the issue on the 
10th of November I had on hand 133 head. The work-cattle were not 
among the beeves, except one, which was pointed out to Mr. Walker by 
the herder as one of the work-cattle. (See record; Willard, John At¬ 
kinson and Simon Lunderman and John Whalen.) 

4. In answer to charge four, I would say that it is true the weight 
of the cattle, up to November, was determined by selecting from 10 to 
20 as an average; that I often participated in the selecting; that when 
this was'done there were no scales, but scales were put up as soon as 
practicable, and then all the cattle were weighed, the end-gate of a 
wagon was never couuted as a part of the weight of the beeves, nor was 
one half cut or weighed as stated. I either attended to the weighing in 
person or had some reliable person to act for mein that capacity. (Call 
O. Bernard and J. Atkinson.) 

5. In answer to charge five, I say the work-cattle were not intro¬ 
duced into the herd, and the acting agent did not say what is claimed 
in regard to the matter. (Call E. Willard, J. Atkinson, and S. Lunder- 
man.) 

6. In answer to charge six, I would say that the inferences in the 
same, drawn from the statements of acting agent and George M. Bosler, 
are wholly without foundation; that the acting agent told Mr. Walker 
that he should try and avoid an issue of beeves on the 20th of Novem¬ 
ber. (Call E. Willard, George M. Bosler, and George H. Jewett.) 

7. In answer to charge seven, I would say: October 1 I issued to 
1,076 lodges, and that on the 15th of November there was no issue at all. 

The estimate of number of Indians to whom issues should be made 
was based upon the best information I could gain. The clerk at the 
agency did not tell Mr. Walker that he calculated the number present 
to be about as many more as properly belonged to the agency. There 
have been far more than 720 lodges present at the agency. I have 
always endeavored to cut down the amount of issues demanded. (Call 
E. Willard, Louis Bordeaux, and see records.) 

8. In answer to charge eight, I would say that it was necessary there 
should be an agent at Fort Randall to receive and care for supplies at 
that point. C. Ferris acted as such agent there, and when so acting as 
receiving agent at Fort Randall he was the junior member of the firm 
of Pratt & Ferris. Neither member of the firm was at Whetstone at 
all. I was a strauger in the country and acquainted with Mr. Ferris. 
I knew of no other person to appoint at Fort Randall except Ferris. 
(Call E. Willard.) 

9. In answer to charge nine, I would say that, in regard to the oats, I 
met the Commissioner of Indian Affairs in Sioux CTly, and he asked 
me if I could not buy the oats. I replied that J thought I could, and 
immediately applied to Mr. Charles and Mr. Pratt to buy the oats as 
low as they could. Mr. Pratt delivered the oats, and I had no informa¬ 
tion upon which I could decide that the price was unreasonable. I do not 
believe any lots were delivered here at the price stated by Mr. Walker. 
(Call E. W. Raymond and George H. Jewett.) 

10. In answer to charge ten, I would say, respectfully, that I never at 
any time employed more herders than were necessary, and even with 
the number I had there was a great deal of trouble in protecting the 
cattle. As soon as I ceased to keep an agency-herd the herders were 
discharged. (Call Atkinson, Lunderman, and C. Benard.) 


k 



38 


11. In answer to charge eleven, I would say that when I first took 
charge of the agency I cut the prices all down to $40. The men had 
been receiving $50 and $60 per month before. After I cut the prices 
down the men refused to work at that price, and, as I could not supply 
their places, I was compelled to put them up to $50. I have but one 
butcher, 0. Benard, and he has as an assistant, a man who is only paid $30 
per month. It would be out of the question to dispense with the ser¬ 
vices of O. Benard, unless I could do without a butcher. (Call E. Wil¬ 
lard and any employes.) 

12. In answer to charge twelve, I would say that the superintendent, 
E. W. Raymond, has never been away from the agency or worked a day 
for himself during all the time he has been in my employment, and I 
regard him as one of the most reliable and necessary men on the agency. 
He may own some teams that are employed by other parties, but his 
ownership of such teams never in any manner prevents him from faith¬ 
fully discharging all his duties as superintendent.—(Call Raymond, D. 
Bray, E. Willard, and Louis Bordeaux.) 

13. In regard to charge thirteen, I would say that at the time of Mr. 
Walker’s visit to this agency two of the horses referred to by him were 
at the herd-camp, and the other was at Fort Randall for the use of the 
herders there, and the horses are still in my possession. (In support of 
this, call J. Atkinson and Paul Horion.) 

The foregoing is most respectfully submitted to the attention of your 
honorable body. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

E. A. HOWARD, 

United States Indian Agent. 

Dated at Whetstone agency this 22d day of March, 1874. 


TESTIMONY IN REGARD TO THE WHETSTONE AGENCY AND IN RELATION 
TO AGENT E. A. HOWARD’S REPLY TO SAMUEL WALKER’S REPORT. 
(See Appendix No. 2.) 

Testimony of Hubert Rouleau in regard to weighing beef 

Hubert Rouleau. Store keeper; been here six years ; been store¬ 
keeper 18 months. Have been often present at weighing of beef. Beef 
was weighed by quarter, and all the quarters were weighed. Sometimes 
we weighed two quarters together, and sometimes one. We weighed 
the whole of the beef. Never knew it to be weighed otherwise; some¬ 
times we put on boards for the quarters to lay on, but we deducted the 
weight of boards. I am paid $75 per month, and have no other busi¬ 
ness. My woma&has left me. I draw rations as an employ^; I get 1£ 
pounds beef per day, and J pound flour; 7^ pounds sugar, 3f pounds coffee 
to (100) rations. I have children, three, and keep house; I have two at 
school in the States. 

Testimony of Edward Willard in regard to issue of beef Ac. 

In the matter of investigation of affairs at Whetstone agency, Dakota 
Territory, on report of Samuel Walker, clerk of board of Indian com¬ 
missioners. 

Edward Willard sworn. Clerk at Whetstone agency. Indians are 



39 


cut down as to number of lodges, and are charged accordingly. (See 
records of agency and form of return to Department.) The number of 
Indians is estimated, not from their statement alone, but from the best 
information the agent can obtain. In regard to charge, Indians claimed 
42 lodges, and were allowed 28 for provision-issue, but only one beef 
was issued or charged. 

Edward Willard, clerk, proves his reply by agency books and rec¬ 
ords. March 23d, at the time of Mr. Walker’s visit, agent was absent 
and my returns were not made up, nor in a condition to give correct in¬ 
formation. No work-cattle were in the herd to my knowledge; GG were 
lost by stampede as per affidavit of herder. 

Mr. Willard. I did not tell Mr. Walker that I expected a herd here 
by the 20th or 21st of November; I did not know it, and did not want to 
make au issue at that date unless compelled to do so. I so told Mr. 
Walter. I did not tell Mr. Bosler that I wanted cattle at that date; did 
not tell Mr. Walker I had enough cattle for an issue; Mr. Walker did 
wish to see an issue; I did not omit the issue on account of Mr. Walker’s 
presence ; I did not try to hide anything from him ; I told Mr. Walker 
we had issued so much beef that I wanted to omit an issue if possible, 
and that I might be compelled to send for those cattle, and so I would 
inform him; I did not tell Mr. Bosler I had cattle enough to issue for 
the next time; I did say to Mr. Bosler (he was here the day before Mr. 
Walker came) that I did not want to make that issue; I wanted to skip 
it; I told him I would only send for cattle if compelled to do so. 
Was no issue on the 25th. November 1, 1,413 lodges, 341 beeves. No¬ 
vember 10, 1,551 lodges, 403 beeves. We can’t tell number of Indians ; 
we never issued to Indians not estimated to the best of our ability; the 
numbers are supposed to be larger than are really present, but we can’t 
always know; we are often deceived. Mr. Walker was told this. 

Testimony of Spotted Tail in regard to selling his beef bach to contractor. 

In matter of charge of Mr. Wm. Welsh, Spotted Tail says if they sold 
their beef they would starve; that after the cattle are issued they are 
so wild they cannot drive them, but have to kill them immediately to 
secure them. 

Testimony of John Whalen and John Athinson in regard to beef and 

stampede. 

John Whalen sworn: I work at the mill; the work-cattle are kept 
at the mill, eighteen in all. The mill is three miles from the herd. 
The work-cattle were never taken to the herd; the herd was never at 
the mill. The work-cattle were never taken from the mill; not in No¬ 
vember, or at any other time. I was not away during November. 
Walker never came to the mill; was driving cattle that day. 

John Atkinson (herder) sworn : We formerly held our own herd. I 
was here in November. .Remember Mr. Walker ; he looked at the herd 
in presence of Willard and herder; cattle numbered 133. Never knew 
cattle to get with the work-oxen. One steer was in the herd when 
Walker was there. Ox ran away from the mill. Never knew any of 
the oxen to be in the herd. No work-cattle were in the herd when 
Walker was there, except one that I called his attention to. I set trap 
for wolf, and the wolf stampeded the herd; 300 ran off; 59 not recov¬ 
ered. 1 made up, as to number, since the beginning of this year; was 
asked to make it when cattle are low; I report it; I reported this to 


40 


agent six or seven days after. Cattle in November were good, and 
averaged 1,000 pounds. Cattle improved by being in the herd; some¬ 
times see yearlings; saw two last summer; I never saw two-year olds. 
I get no aid except my salary. I had eight herders. I have now three 
since January 1. My assistants are Mexicans and half-breeds. Cattle 
are smaller since last fall. Spotted Tail never received smaller cattle 
than the rest. I have nothing to do with cattle until they are weighed ; 
Major weighs the cattle. Have been familiar with cattle for several 
years on the Platte. Cattle are better this year than last year. Cattle 
lose flesh by driving. A steer would lose forty pounds from the Nio¬ 
brara here. A steer would lose between seventy and eighty pounds from 
the Platte. Cattle are better in summer. Cattle are selected without 
regard to size. I thought the average was right. 

Testimony of Simon Lunderman in regard to cattle and stampede. 

Simon Lunderman: Teamster and herder, and at stable for four 
months; been in country three years. Testifies as above as to kind of 
cattle and the stampede,"and as to loss. He receives his pay from agent, 
and none from any other person. 

Testimony of George II. Jewett in regard to beef hides and Walker's report , 

&c. 

George H. Jewett: Trader at agency; here ten months; three 
months as clerk. J. H. Pratt, of Randall, has license. Mr. Ferris and 1 
are partners also. I was clerk to Major Howard to August 31. I gave 
my testimony as to Bonsor on information furnished by William Houston, 
of Yankton reserve. Mr. John Wright (colored) saw Bonsor drummed 
out from United States Army, and fed him. He is reported as a deserter 
from the Regular Army; was here when Mr. Walker was here; saw 
much of him ; said he came to investigate affairs of Agent Risley; said 
he was sent by Indian commission; talked with no one but Mr. Bonsor. 
The hides received Friday were good hides, but no better than Novem¬ 
ber and December hides. Dry hides weigh 28 pounds. Last sold 
weighed 27 pounds; got 180 hides last issue. Had 16, and got 6 from 
military; have 200 now; 1 think I will get no more. Mr. Moran trades, 
and Bushe. They have no license, but trade as Indians. I think north¬ 
ern Indians are hoarding ammunition. They always do it, as they do 
not come in in the summer. Ammunition is for hunt, and not for war 
necessarily. I was engaged in no other business while I was clerk here. 
I knew of none employed by the agency to have other occupation. I 
never knew of the agent making money outside of his salary. I was 
not clerk for Risley. Weight of beef was determined by killing certain 
beeves selected by the agent. Net weight is one-half of gross weight. 
I weighed one lot in absence of agent; we weighed the entire beef—we 
weighed the whole animal; \\$ weighed the four quarters; we weighed 
on the end-board of the wagon to hold the beef off the ground ; we de¬ 
ducted the weight of the end-board. I have been here ever since Ma¬ 
jor Howard was here. The cattle have been good. Major Howard’s 
employes do their duty; some of the men are sometimes disposed to 
shirk. Major Howard is strict with them. Government hours are ob¬ 
served. Major Howard has been a good and economical agent for Gov¬ 
ernment. He has sometimes obeyed orders against, his judgment. He 
has not men and teams enough to do his own work in hay, &c. There 
is no hay within fifteen or twenty miles. It is hauled from Big White 
Clay, twenty or twenty-five miles. 


41 

Testimony of Charles Benard in regard to weighing beef. 

Charles Benard : Butcher for six years; salary, $75 per month: 
have an Indian assistant; scales were put up in November; before that 
beeves were selected and weighed; weighed beef quarter by quarter; 
we put on a platform to hold the beef; usually used end-board of wagon ; 
this weighs twelve pounds, and is deducted. I once weighed half a 
beef and Major Howard told me to weigh the whole beef. I gave 
weight to Major Howard. Beef is of different weights, from 180 to 210 
pounds per quarter. I once weighed half a beef; Major Howard for¬ 
bade it to be done so; this was in June. I did not weigh the beef the 
other day, as they were weighed on the large scales. 1 heard about a 
stampede, but do not know about it; cattle often stampede in a storm 
in summer. The beef has been good for this winter and for the summer; 
last year it was not quite so good. This winter cattle are good. 
Cattle are never weighed on the scales by Major Howard; some of us 
help him. Cattle this winter have been good average. 


Statement of beef issued at Whetstone agency March 18, 1874. 


No. 

Pounds. 

No. 

Pounds. 

No. 

Pounds. 

No. 

Pounds. 

4....... 

. 3,8*20 

4. 

... 4,280 

3. 

3,520 

f).. . 

4,905 

5. 

. 5, ‘200 

4. 

4,050 

5. 

4, 910 

3 

3 440 

5. 

. 4,850 

5. 

... 5, 055 

6 .. 

5 770 

5 

5 290 

5. 

. 4,800 

5. 

5,100 

2 ... 

2,105 


5* 170 

5. 

4,865 

5. 

5, 060 

4 

3 850 

5 

4 960 

5. 

. 5,510 

4. 

... 3,830 

4... 

4 310 

fS 

5’ 555 

6. 

6,440 

5. 

5,310 

5... 

5 550 

f, 

4 800 

4. 

3,9*20 

6. 

6, 605 

9 

2 070 

.5 

0’ 150 

5. 

. 4,710 

4. 

... 4,250 

3. 

... 3,910 

4. 

4, 050 

5 . 

. 5,445 

5. 

... 6,150 

5. 

. .. 5,120 

6 . 

5,770 

4. 

. 4,170 

4 . 

... 4.190 

3... 

3, 080 

3 

2 805 

4. 

. 4,180 

4. 

... 4,050 

5. 

... 4,850 



4. 

. 3,650 

3. 

. .. 3,005 

4 .. 

... 3,750 

243 

249, 965 

5 . 

4,850 

3.._ 

3,400 

3 

2 930 



4. 

. 4, 100 

3.. 

... 3,200 

4. 

... 4, 240 




Testimony of J. II 7 . Barngrove and Jeff. Yount , herders , in employ of Mr. 
Bosler , in regard to cattle. 


The cattle brought here yesterday came from the Platte; one day and 
one night on the way from the Running Water, about three and a half 
days from the Platte. Started the 15th, about 10 or 11 o’clock, from 
the Platte. Remained one night at Running Water. Pretty good 
pasture about Running Water; grass very good on the way, but 
they will not eat on the way unless there is water. Herd driven, 
892. Order to bring 250 head. Intended to start with 254, but 
others got into the herd, making 272 altogether brought here. The 
cattle were very gaunt. They had not really ate or drank anything. 
They were very wild, and most of them would not stop to eat or drink. 
They were very full and plump when they started. Distance from 
Platte, from 90 to 100 miles. Could not say how much they would 
fall away. Cattle during the winter kept vey well as a general 
thing. Those on Platte had a rather better chance, because they were 
not disturbed. Those just delivered were worse off than average deliv¬ 
ered here, they were driven so far day and night. These, on the whole, 
were about the average of those on the Platte—some larger and some 
smaller. The large herd always kept on Platte, and smaller herd for 
issue on Running Water. After Appleton was killed, all taken back to 
























































42 


tlie Platte. Those delivered yesterday would have averaged when left 
the Platte 1,100. Think they would lose from 80 to 100 pounds each 
on the way. Have had experience in butchering and calculating weight. 
Can make pretty good guess of the weight of a steer. A small animal 
stands the winter best; they are younger and more quiet. The value 
of a steer per pound depends upon the build very much. A smaller, 
low, round-built steer is the best. We select such, and particularly cows, 
for our own use. This herd was the best of 1,000 head of Texas cattle I 
ever saw on the Platte. These are Texas cattle, as I understand, most of 
them, which had been raised in Kansas. Was present when these were 
weighed; 26 or 27 were not weighed. They became so wild we could 
not get them in. They were, if anything, better than the average, be¬ 
cause the larger, older cattle were the wildest. In driving, the largest 
and strongest will take the lead. Was with the herd on the Platte when 
Walker was here last fall. Have been several times with herd to Red 
Cloud and to Shoshone Indians at Wind River Mountains. Here and 
at Red Cloud cattle always weighed. At Shoshone they had no scales, 
and cattle were selected average in size, butchered, and weighed net, 
net weight, about half gross weight, sometimes a little less, and some¬ 
times a little more. 

Have been herding now about nine months for Mr. Bosler. Cattle 
herded from three years old upward. None put in herd less than three, 
unless in a large herd two or three would get in. I killed sometimes 
yearliugs and two-year-olds for use of camp when Indians came to camp. 
Bosler always told us to have no trouble with them. Sometimes would 
give them one to avoid trouble. Sometimes they would demand more. 
We have had no trouble with them until within a short time. Cattle 
seut to Shoshone Indians cut out of same herd; should call them 
less than average quality. Butcher selected one, herder one, and 
agent one, which were killed as average; weight was about 990 
pounds. This winter Indians have annoyed us on Platte; have run off 
cattle and taken horses. Very few days that there were not Indians in 
camp, eating with us; men of pretty much all the bands; not many 
northern Indians. After Appleton was killed a Miuneconjou came there, 
ate his breakfast, and then went out and shot in the herd fourteen or 
fifteen times, killing and maiming several. Only two yoke of oxen in the 
herd which had been worked ; but they were all as fat and wild as if they 
had never been worked. Was with herd on Platte in November and 
December last; knew of every herd cut out for this agency ; sometimes 
more and sometimes less ; once as many as four hundred : once none were 
cut out for this agency for thirty days. They were cut out for Red 
Cloud three times a mouth, from three hundred to three hundred and 
thirty each time ; some one always came over from the agency with an 
order for so many cattle, which was handed to the chief herder; we all 
went out and assisted in cutting out the number; the messenger went 
back with the herd; the order was left in camp with man in charge. 
Bosler would sometimes come round and get the orders to get his 
receipts from agents. The orders were simply, “ Please send to this 
agency (so many) cattle of such an average weight.” 

Iu January two issues cut out for this agency, first, about the 15th, 
about four hundred ; the other about two hundred and fifty. Have not 
seen Bosler since about time Appleton was killed. Has never given any 
instructions as to selecting lots to be cut out; we round up the first lot 
we come to and cut out the number wanted. Have been handling cattle 
in Kansas several years; with native cattle the shrinking is considered 


43 


to be forty pounds for the first twenty miles ; after that they don’t shrink 
so much. I came through from Kansas with one of these herds: a portion 
were Texas cattle and portion wintered in Kansas. 

[Most of above testimony given by Yount.] 

Testimony of John Atkinson in regard to stampede of cattle. 

John Atkinson, chief herder for four years, testifies as to loss by 
stampede by wolf, as to kind of cattle received, and as to manner of 
weighing, and as to absolute loss of cattle stampeded. Cattle have been 
good, and he has not received pay from any one but the agent. 

Testimony of John Whalen in regard to the work-cattle at the mill. 

John Whalen. I ran the engine for seven years; work-cattle are kept 
at mill,three miles from the herd; they were never away from the mill. 
Walker came to the herd but not to the mill. 

Testimony of Major Howard in regard to flour. 

I never have reported the amount of issue above the amount actually 
issued. I know that the Indians deceive us. The actual number of ra¬ 
tions issued are charged to the Government and no more. I do not af- 
ft firm that the Indian count is correct. 

I came here June 1,1873. The Hour turned over to me was most of 
it stored in a corral at the end of warehouse, exposed to the weather. 
Some of it was inside of the warehouse. Some time after I arrived I 
received a Department letter saying that they had unofficial information 
that a large portion of the flour here was unfit for jssue, having been 
exposed to the weather. 1 replied that it was true, and suggested that it 
be dropped from the papers and given to the Indians to feed their po¬ 
nies on in cases of necessity. They replied granting my request. I did 
not know where it came from or how long it had been here. Don’t 
know who furnished it. Don’t remember the brand. Some of it (200 
sacks) is here now. I hold it to give away. It will be dropped this 
quarter. Present contractor began furnishing flour August, 1873. I 
don’t know who had contract before. Flour has been good since I have 
been agent, and I have used it on my table. 

J. H. Pratt received his license in June and opened his store in Sep¬ 
tember. Mr. Ferris ceased to be sub-agent at Randall December 1. 
His duty was to receive and ship freight, and to store it in the warehouse. 
I do not know how he kept his books. He resigned. His reason was 
that he could not attend to his own business and that of the agency. 
Ko part of Indian supplies were purchased by him. I don’t know that 
Indian goods were changed by him. Don’t know whether he sold pork, 
&c., or not. His books were straight when he turned over. His ac¬ 
counts were always straight. I do not know to whom Mr. Walker re¬ 
fers as having bought oats cheaper than I. Mr. Pratt and Mr. Charles 
promised to buy them for me. Mr. Pratt bought them. 

I do not know how many herders were employed when I took charge. 
When I arrived here my predecessor had chief herder at $100 per mouth 
and one at $60. On the 12th of June I discharged the whole number, 
and re-employed a chief herder at $60 and six herders at $40 per month. 
This is found upon the pay-rolls of the agency. 


44 


Testimony of James Leighton in regard to Mr. Raymond , head farmer. 

James Leighton. I drive team ; I have driven two years last Septem¬ 
ber. Have been here five or six years. I never knew Mr. Raymond to 
be away from his duty during working hours. 1 never knew him to be 
away at noon looking for his teams. He has a man in charge and herds 
his horses on the White Clay. 

Testimony of George H. Jewett in regard to building of corral. 

Mr. Jewett. In the matter of the corral, I put up 1,200 and some feet; 

I don’t remember; in this corral 140 feet, as near as I remember$ on 
the other end I put up the corral and paid for same. The other corrals 
were the cattle corral and the stable corral. It was measured by Mr. 
Willard and the carpenter. I think they deducted too much for gates, 
Ac. Several men hauled the logs for this corral. Mr. Butler was one of 
them ; he is not here now. I put up the end west myself. I think Mr. 
Walker did me injustice, he did not ask me about it. I built here for 
mutual protection. In the matter of issue of beef I never knew any In¬ 
dian selling or proposing to sell cattle after the issue had been made, 
and never heard of it. I never knew the contractor to influence Indians 
to keep up their numbers or talk with them at all. They sell flour. I 
think for Indians they have too much ; they prefer corn. I was offered 
a sack of corn for sale $ also two pairs of socks, and had a pair of pants. 

I mess with the agent and pay for my board every month. The agent 9 
has no interest in the store. The whites about here—some of them are 
insubordinate, some are well behaved and mean to do right, and some 
don’t wish to do right; some of them instigate a bad spirit among the 
Indians. When the agent cut down their wages they were angry at it. 
Large wages have always been paid on account of isolation and larger 
expenses. Indian women use up clothing and are expensive. I am not 
in the habit of seeing the cattle. I buy hides ; they are uniform in size. 
A Chicago firm wrote for hides for reason that they were better. 

Testimony of Louis Bordeaux in.regard to counting Indians. 

Louis Bordeaux sworn, interpreter at Whetstone agency. Testi¬ 
mony same as above as to charge No. 1. As to charge No. 2, thinks num¬ 
ber of lodges chained was 72, and the number allowed was 40, and only 
one beef was issued. 

Louis Bordeaux, (2.) interpreter for two years, $100 per month. 
When an Indian claims ten lodges we give him five or more ; we try to 
find out how many lodges they have ; 1 do not know that we are always 
right. I can’t go into camp. Many northern Indians came in ; they 
come in day after day; 700 lodges came in. They began to come in 
last of October. They were all in by November; all have not gone off 
yet. They have been going for six weeks. Northern Indians are inso¬ 
lent and demand rations. They are not like Indians here. Agent al¬ 
ways gives ticket and Indian takes it to store keeper or corral. 

I know of men freighting, but not employes. The Indians are gener¬ 
ally satisfied with beef; somtimes they complain, say cattle are poor. 
They have plenty, but say they don’t get enough. They always want 
more. I have family and draw rations. I am the only interpreter. I 
get information from Indians as to numbers, and cut it down and try to 
get it right. The agent tries to count Indians, but they won’t allow it. 

I don’t know that they are angry at it. The Indians object to being 


45 


counted. I do not know why. Major wanted to go in village and count 
lodges, but the Indians forbade it; said they would soldier us. I was 
here with Major Risley. Agent Howard has, as far as I know, done his 
duty to Government and Indians, and has been kind to them. 

Testimony of Dominick Bray in regard to flour, d; c. 

Dominick Bray sworn. Issue-clerk at above agency. Have been so 
employed since the fall of 1808. He issues rations to the Indians upon 
orders from the agent, and according to a table prepared in the agent’s 
office. 

March 24,1S74. 

Dominick Bray, store keeper and issue-clerk since 1868. Colonel 
Kemble was here in June, 1873. Mr. Samuel Walker was here in No¬ 
vember, 1873 ; was present when they selected samples of flour. Colo¬ 
nel Kemble took samples of the flour, having Major Washburne’s brand 
flrst. This flour had been delayed at [Old Red Cloud agency, from the 
summer previous, as I was told by some of the teamsters. Mr. ^Walker 
got his samples from old flour outside, with no brand on it. It had 
been exposed for some time to the weather. Some of that flour came 
from Old Whetstone. I do not know that he took any samples from 
that. I do not know in wdiat year this flour was delivered. Some of 
this flour had been housed. I don’t know whether this was housed at 
Red Cloud or not. Mr. Walker took samples of other flour, such as 
we are issuing now, also. Colonel Kemble took samples simply of the 
bad flour, but not of the good. 

Testimony of Frank D. Yates in regard to flour. 

Frank D. Yates, former store-keeper at Red Cloud agency, and 
afterward trader at Whetstone. I know about flour delivered at Old 
Red Cloud, and afterward transferred to this agency. I received a 
large portiou of it for Major Wham. It was delivered under contract of 
J. H. Martin. Understood that Martin had contract. A portion of 
this flour came from Fort Laramie, having been received by the com¬ 
missary there and then sent to Red Cloud. We received flour there for 
both agencies, and it was brought here a year ago this spring. It was 
brought first to the upper place, then here. The flour was not sheltered 
or protected except by tarpaulins, at Red Cloud. It was piled on 
boards out doors. At Old Whetstone a large portion of it was out doors 
a long time, and another in an open building. I do not know that 
Kemble or Walker took any samples. Don’t know who received it here; 
Cox or Bray, probably. I hauled some down from the old place and 
piled it out here. I don’t know what disposition was subsequently 
made of this flour. I never examined it closely, but I have understood 
it was not first-rate flour. I have eaten some of it. It was sometimes 
very bad. In our mess we had to get flour from Laramie. I don’t 
think it equal to the flour now delivered. I never used any of this. It 
was exposed for a long time before use. The bad flour spoken of was 
delivered by Martin under the Martin contract. 

WHETSTONE AGENCY, DAKOTA TERRITORY. 

List of employes. 

Sub-agent, A. A. Howard. 

Clerk, Edward Willard. 

Farmer, E. W. Raymond. 

Chief carpenter, Frazee Packard. 


$ 1,200 

1,500 

1,000 

1,200 






46 


Blacksmith, Michael Regau. 

Interpreter, Louis Bordeaux. 

Butcher, Charles Benard, per month. 

Assistant butcher, “ Red Nose,” Indian, per month 

Issue-clerk, Dominick Bray, per month. 

Store-keeper, Hubert Rouleau, per mouth. 

Chief herder, John Atkinson, per month. 

Herder, Paul Dorion, per month. 

Herder, Whan Munso, per month. 

Laborer, Charles DeSersa, per month. 

Laborer, David Gallineaux, per month. 

Laborer, John Marshall, per month. 

Laborer, Joseph Schweizman, per month. 

Laborer, Simon Lunderman, per month. 

Laborer, James Demereau, per month. 

Watchman, Battise Clairmont, per month. 

Watchman, Louis Dorion, per month. 

Watchman, Louis Rubideau, per mouth. 

Teamster, James Leighton, per month. 

Teamster, Peter Piuo, per month. 

Teamster, Benjamin Bovia, per month. 

Teamster, George Stead, per month. 

Teamster, Simon R. Frazer, per month. 

Herder, Turban Vroolston, per month. 

Herder, Eugene Beugier, per month. 


$1,000 
1,200 
75 
30 
75 
75 
75 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
* 50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 


Statement of trader in regard to the amount of ammunition received , sold, 
and remaining on hand March 20, 1874. 

Whetstone Agency, Dakota Territory. 

March 20, 1874. 

To the honorable Board of Indian Commissioners : 

Gentlemen : In compliance with your request, I have the honor to 
transmit herewith statement of ammunition received, sold, and remain¬ 
ing on hand at this date, with money-value of same. 

1 would also respectfully report that the amount of all business 
transacted as trader at the agency by me amounts to $16,000 during 
the last four mouths. This includes some peltry, now en route to market, 
the value of which was estimated. 

The number of beef-hides received in trade since September 15,1873, 
is 3,622. This is without the issue of March 18, or last issue. 

Verv respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. H. PRATT, 
Per G. H. J. 


Amount of ammunition received, sold, and remaining on hand at Whet¬ 
stone agency, by J. H. Pratt, licensed trader, from December 1*, 1873, to 
March 20, 1874. 

Amount on hand December 1, 1873: 100 pounds powder, 200 pounds 
lead, 4,000 rounds of fixed ammunition. 

Amount received during that time: 250 pounds powder, 1,500 pounds 
lead, 12,000 rounds of fixed ammunition. 

Amount on hand at present time, March 20: 150 pounds powder, 
1,000 pounds lead, 9,500 rounds of fixed ammunition. 

Money-value of amount sold, $700. 

Respectfully submitted. 

J. H. PRATT, Trader , 
Per G. H. J. 



























47 


No. 3. 


Speech of Bishop Hare , in behalf of comm issioners at the Red Cloud Indian 
agency , which was repeated at the Whetstone Indian agency.* 

Bishop Hare. We are here to-day with different-colored faces, but 
the same Lord made us. Let us tirst pray to Him to give us wise heads 
and good hearts. 

Let us pray. Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings, &c. * * * 

Bishop Hare. The Great Father has heard a great many things re¬ 
garding the behavior of the people here, which have made his heart 
very sad, and he has sent us here to inquire the cause of the trouble. 
He Jbas told us to say to the people here that the troops have been sent, 
not to make war, but to protect good men and to protect the agency. 
Our business, therefore, is chiefly to ask questions, to ascertain what 
has been the cause of the trouble, and we now wish to hear what you 
have to say. 

[Here followed speeches of Indians.] 

Bishop Hare. My friends, we shake hands with you all. We have 
come here to-day, not to discuss any questions, but to hear what you 
have to slay■; and we now propose to tell you some things we think it 
would be wise for you to consider, and let you put them into your hearts; 
for we are going away to Spotted Tail agency for a few days, and we 
shall come back here, if God spares us, and will then have further coun¬ 
sel with you. 

We feel very sad, very much disappointed, in the speeches we have 
heard made to-day, that you have not had more to say about the bad 
things done at the agency. We do not think you understand, in your 
hearts, in what a bad position you have placed yourselves in the minds 
of your good friends at the East. I have gone into churches with a 
thousand people present, and when I have asked “ How many here are 
the friends of the Indians ?” they have held up their hands and said 
they were your friends. If they had been Dakotas they would have 
cried, “ How ! How!” 

Now, these people have heard that here at Red Oloiul agency, aud in 
this neighborhood, their own brothers have been murdered. They lift 
up their hands in horror. They say, “Is it possible that at Red Cloud 
agency, among these Indians whom we thought good men, man after 
man is killed in cold blood, and the people do not stand up to punish 
the murderers ?” As we have traveled along and have been told these 
things, we have felt like covering our heads in shame. We knew iu our , 
hearts that we loved these people, and when we have heard these things 
we have felt like a dog when he is kicked, like running off, even if we 
did love you. 

Now, my friends, what do you tell us to say ? Shall we go back and 
tell those who sent us that your answer is that some Northern Indians 
came down here, ate your food, killed white men, and made your agency 
like a den of wild beasts, and you could not help it? Your friends at 
the East will ask us, “Are there no strong men at the Red Cloud agency?” 
They will ask, “ Where is Red Cloud aud all the brave men we have 
heard of? Was there no one to see that these Northern Indians were 
driven off? To say to them, 4 You are eating our food and you are get¬ 
ting us into trouble—go about your business ? ’ ” They will say to us, 

# The substance of the reply of the Indians is given in the report of the commission 
to the honorable Secretary of the Interior. 



48 


“There is a certain treaty, made with Red Cloud and other Indians, in 
which it was agreed that if any Indian murdered a white man the In¬ 
dians should go after him and give him up. Why do not our friends, 
the Indians, whom we love, do it ?” How, what we want to put into your 
hearts to think about while we are away is, will you go after Indians 
who have murdered white men and deliver them up ? When Indians 
steal horses and other property will you go after the robbers and give 
them up? If you say, “Ho, we will not;’ 7 or, “Ho, we cannot,” then we 
have another question : Shall the Great Father send soldiers after the 
murderer or marauder and take him and punish him ? And when the 
soldiers come, will you say : “ The man who murders and the man who 
steals is a bad man, and we will help the soldiers to take him and pun¬ 
ish him?” Will you do that? 

The next thing we wish to speak to you about is this : It sometimes 
happens that a white man is killed right here. It happened the other 
day. It made us all shudder, and you ought to shudder when a white 
man is killed at your Father’s very door. You have said kind words 
about your Father, and yet his friend was killed at his door. It often 
happens that a white man is not killed here, but is killed a little way 
off. A little while ago two soldiers, fine young men, men whom we 
loved, were killed out toward Laramie Peak, and as we traveled along 
in coming here people looked at us and asked us, “Are you going to 
be the friends of Indians who have killed two of our brothers ?” There 
has been a great many other cases of those who have been murdered. I 
could count them over on my fingers, if I had fingers enough. I would 
count them over on my fingers if I did not think I would put my 
brother’s blood on my fingers as I counted the murderers. Your friends 
at the East will say, “ How does it happen that Indians kill white men 
outside of their own reservation ?” “ How does it happen that Indians 

were there?” “What business had they there?” “Well,” you will 
answer, “ our young men like to go off and hunt, and while they are 
away, before they know it, they begin to fight. They go to hunt buff¬ 
alo, and it ends in hunting down white men.” Your white friends will 
say, “ If the Indians when they go to hunt end in killing white men, 
had they not better give up the privilege of hunting outside their reser¬ 
vation ?” They will ask, “ How much do Indians get by goingtohunt?” 
and then, “How much do they lose?” The answer will be that the In¬ 
dians gain a few buffalo and lose their friends. The buffalo, when they 
catch them, give them their meat and their skins. Their friends give 
them not only corn, flour, meat, and other food, but also give them their 
hearts. Is it better for the Indians to catch buffalo, who give them only 
meat and food for a few days, if the consequence is to lose their friends, 
who give them food all the year round ? I know that I am not speak¬ 
ing very pleasant words to some who are present, but the Great Father 
sent us here to speak these words. We have them deep in our own 
hearts, and we put them down on paper that we might not forget them. 
They are not my words alone. They are the words of all the commis¬ 
sioners here, and, as I said, they are deep down in our hearts and in our 
heads. 

We have been made very happy by hearing some of our good friends 
speak to us about farming. If the Great Father had ears sharp enough 
to hear you talk, it would have made his face smile and his heart very 
glad. You are very wise men to think about it, because unless you 
learn how to farm, you will never know how to live. When a man 
has to live by hunting he is very apt to get into trouble. But when 


49 


a man lives by working in the ground, by raising corn and other articles 
of food, he does not get into trouble. Now, the white man used to be 
just as wild as the Northern Indian. What lias made him wise ? What 
has brought him out of darkness and into light ? One thing is, because 
he learned to work in the ground. When a man wants to farm, the 
first thing he has to do is not to ask for plows; the first thing is to find 
a place to till the ground ; and as we have traveled along we have been 
seeking a good place for the Indians to begin planting—for good ground 
on which the agency may be located. We have not found the soil about 
this agency very good ground in which to plant, and we want to ask the 
people whether they are willing to look out for a better place—whether 
they will be willing to go themselves and begin work. We do not 
mean in some strange country. We mean some better place within 
your own land here. 

There are many white people living in what is known as the State of 
Nebraska, down here to the south. Your Great Father wants very 
much to know exactly how far the white men who live in that State 
may go; where the line is which separates that land from your land. 
He cannot find out where the line is now, and we ask the question here. 
One says, u The line is here,” and when we ask somebody else he says, 
“ It is there.” The Great Father wants to send out a party of wise men to 
fix precisely where the line is. He says, u I am a friend to the red man. 
I do not want to take his laud, but I want to know where the dividing 
line is between the red man’s land and the white man’s land.” And we 
want you to consider while we are gone away whether you will help the 
people whom the Great Father sends out to fix that line, and whether 
you will be their friends. 

The Great Father sends out here all these rations, and if there had 
not been trouble about this agency there would have been more rations 
here than I see to-day. The Great Father wants to know when he sends 
rations how many people there are living at the place to which he sends 
them. He knows very well when he sends rations to the Yankton In¬ 
dians just how many there are to receive them, for the father at the 
Yankton agency counts the people, and tells him there are so many 
there. The Great Father wants to know how many people there are 
here, and says he wants his agent to count them. The Great Father, 
because he is a father, knows how many soldiers there are in every fort, 
he knows how many white men there are in every town; and he now 
asks, u How many red children have I at Red Cloud agency 1 ? I want 
my agent to count them.” He says, “ Why should I send rations to a 
people who do not trust me enough to let me count them ?” 

Now, my friends, I do not want to talk about these things to-day. We 
have noticed that Indians are very wise; they wait a good while before 
they speak. We want to do that. When you think about these things 
remember that a great many of your good friends are sitting very sad. 
Remember that the Great Father is thinking in his heart, u What does 
it mean that I hear such bad things from the Red Cloud agency ?” The 
Great Father hears that you want to lift yourselves up and be like 
white men, to plant the ground and be wise. He has heard that you 
Indians said you were like men lying fiat upon the ground. The Great 
Father wishes to lift you up; but he finds that, instead of trying to lift 
yourselves up, you still remain flat and dead upon your backs. This 
makes him sad. 

Now, my dear friends, I said to you that we came here feeling very sad. 
We do not want to go away feeling sad. When we go back and men ask 
4 R a 


50 


us, “Are you going to be the friends of the people who killed our 
brothers we want to be able to say to them, u You do not know these 
Indians; they will stand up like men, and they will fight like men to 
bring to justice Indians who murdered white men.’ 7 

To-morrow morning we shall go to the Spotted Tail ageucy. While 
we are gone you will have time to think over these matters, and when 
we return again we shall want to hear you talk. This is all that we 
shall say to-day. 


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